You might have heard the word “Neuroplasticity”. But do you wonder what it means? I am taking this online meditation course, not to become a meditation expert or anything, but to become a more knowledgeable meditator myself. And I have learned that neuroplasticity is the concept of the lifelong ability of the brain to change. New brain cells, also known as neurons, can be created with certain types of activities, and connections between neurons can grow.

An example of neuroplasticity includes those who routinely meditate. By practicing meditation, changes in the brain, which can increase an individual’s sense of well-being and quality of life, occur. Several studies done with different patient populations have shown that meditation can make significant improvements in a variety of symptoms, and the underlying mechanisms in the brain that facilitate this change are being investigated.

Even though there are many meditation methods, such as; Transcendental Meditation™, Mindfulness Meditation, Walking Meditation, etc., the main and common characteristic of all methods is the physical body to go into a state of deep muscle relaxation while the person remains awake. By breathing deeply and reaching a calm physical and mental state, meditation provides the person with an immense amount of benefits.

Some of those benefits that are also accepted by medical professionals (including my own family doctor) could be itemized as follows:

• Improved airflow to the lungs
• Increased energy level
• Decreased cortisol (stress hormone) level
• Increased skin resistance (as a result of decreased anxiety and perspiration)
• Decreased heart and respiration rates
• Decreased blood pressure
• Decreased muscle tension
• Increased alpha waves (as a result of increased relaxation)
• Decreased pain and pain perception

According to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, meditation has many positive psychological benefits too, including increased stress management skills and an increased overall sense of well-being. And with regular meditation practice, the following psychological changes occur:

• Improved mental and emotional health
• Reduced perception of stress
• Reduced anxiety and depression
• Increased degree of self-actualization
• Improved sleep
• Decreased tendency to worry
• Improved concentration and focus
• Enhanced feelings of happiness
• Increased sense of peace and well-being
• Increased awareness and spiritual calm
• Decreased fear
• Increased mindfulness
• Increased ability to control behavior
• Increased resilience and adaptability

Practicing meditation once or twice a day for 15 to 30 minutes can provide us with all these amazing benefits.

So, what are you going to do, now that you know how good it is for you to meditate? Are you going to meditate or are you going to meditate? I think you are going to start meditating and you will notice the positive change in your mood and body. Enjoy my loved ones…