The History of Meditation and the Effects on the Mind and Body

Meditation is extremely beneficial to an individual’s mental health and well-being. It can help to restore inner peace and give a feeling of calmness. According to Merriam- Webster’s dictionary, to meditate is, “to spend time in quiet thought for religious purposes or relaxation.”2 Meditation is an art that has been practiced for thousands of years. It can be considered a harmonizing medicine of the mind and body. Though there are thousands of types of meditation, all can be classified under five different types. These are concentration meditation, mindfulness meditation, reflective meditation, creative meditation, and heart-centered meditation.3

Originally, meditation was intended to gain a wider understanding of the supernatural and sacred forces of life, however, it is now used to focus on reducing stress and to reach a relaxed state. To reach this state of tranquility, an individual must clear their mind and focus their attention on eliminating the everyday stressors of life that are causing a cluttered mind and more stress.3 These stressors can cause a huge burden on an individual’s physical and mental health. They can cause sickness and injuries, and inhibit an individual from performing life’s daily activities. This is why it is beneficial to implement meditation into your daily routine. According to Mayo Clinic, meditating can help an individual to gain an alternative perspective to a situation that is stressful, have a present-focused mindset, develop ways to deal with stress, increase self-awareness, and reduce the amount of negative thoughts an individual has.1

I have presented many ways meditation is beneficial for an individual’s mental health. By implementing it into your daily routine, these benefits will be more and more apparent. Meditation not only reduces stress but helps you to find a better, more peaceful version of yourself.

References:

1Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress. Mayo Clinic.

2Merriam- Webster Dictionary. (1828) Meditate. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

3Self-guided.com. (n.d). The five types of meditation techniques. Self-guided.com Your Personal  Journey to Well-Being.