Meditate on This

Spend five minutes in any bookstore, on any website, or in any application and you’ll probably see or hear something about meditation. Is it just another commodity to be bought and sold? Perhaps. But for once, consumerism might have gotten something right.

Unlike what phone apps and YouTube videos may lead you to believe, meditation isn’t a new concept. An ancient, Eastern tradition with prehistoric origins, it’s stood the test of time as a natural way to stay calm, mindful, and present. People around the world practice it regularly as part of their routine to maintain overall health—and they have since 5000 B.C.

Ancient Practices. Modern Benefits.

Our ancestors passed along the wisdom of meditation by word of mouth. Today, there’s no shortage of tangible materials to help you achieve you inner Zen. But no matter which method you choose, experts all agree on one thing: the benefits of meditation are undeniable. It can help you:

• Reduce stress. Meditating for just 10 minutes per day can help you relax, stay calm, and worry less. A study by Harvard physician Herbert Benson showed that this was the result of countering the body’s natural “fight or flight” response with a deep state of relaxation that meditation brings about.
• Control anxiety. More doctors are promoting the benefits of meditation to keep anxiety in check — and help their patients eliminate unnecessary everyday worries. Learning how to observe and acknowledge negative thought patterns without validating them can literally change one’s life.
• Improve attention span. With so many things to distract us today, meditation is just the break our brains need to stay focused. Practitioners are encouraged to concentrate on one thing, processing thoughts and ideas one at a time.
• Get better sleep. As you master the art of meditation and enjoy the benefits of less stress and reduced anxiety, a good night’s rest is a natural progression. The best part? The benefits of getting enough sleep include reduced stress, mood improvements and less anxiety.

The benefits of meditation don’t stop there. They have a ripple effect. When you can focus, stay calm, sleep well at night, and eliminate needless worrying, good things are likely to happen in other areas of your life as well.

Worried About Getting Started?

Nobody is born knowing how to meditate. It’s a learned skill and just like any other, it takes time to master. Don’t let that scare you, though. The more you practice meditation, the better you’ll get it. And because it can be done anytime, anywhere, and on any budget, it can easily be adapted into anyone’s lifestyle.

Make an effort to enhance your meditation practice with other good habits like a healthy diet, exercise, supplements and tools that promote relaxation. Of course, CBD products are another great way to help you get into the Zen Zone and stay naturally calm. Helping you reap all the benefits that regular meditation has to offer.