Meditation and mindfulness are practices that have shown positive results for mental health, such as relieving depression and anxiety and reducing stress levels that lead to unhealthy lifestyles. Besides relaxing the mind, there is also a physical difference in those who practice regular meditation and those who do not. Below are a few ways mindful meditating helps a person’s overall mental wellness.

Why Meditation Works for Mental Health

Effects on the Brain

Scientists have been studying how meditation changes the way the brain processes information for a few years. Not only does it lower stress and improve focus for handling a variety of situations, but recent studies have also revealed that there are actual physiological adjustments resulting from regular meditation. Specifically, sections of the brain that help us digest information and regulate emotion are boosted, but the amygdala, which causes fear and stress, actually gets smaller.

Beyond the brain, people who have embraced meditation for their mental health have also seen other physical benefits, including a reduction in inflammation and quality of life improvement in those recovering from cancer, surgery, and major injuries.

For many, the best results occur when meditation is incorporated into morning routines. Starting your day with breathing techniques and connecting with your body improves how the rest of the day proceeds. Even if obstacles arise, those who are in tune with their mind-body connection are better at handling whatever comes their way.

Disorders It Relieves

People diagnosed with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have all seen dramatic results when employing regular meditation and mindful techniques. The regular, rhythmic focus on breathing positively affects the nervous system and keeps heart rates normal and calm. 

Even for those who do not necessarily experience depression and anxiety, meditation can also relieve any negative response such as anger, fear, and frustration. Much like working out any muscle in a fitness plan, the more you practice mindfulness, the easier it is to rely on the techniques when stressors threaten to affect your day-to-day life.

Located in Davidson County, NC, and serving multiple counties around the state, Daymark Recovery Services provides counseling and support for mental health and alcoholism as well as addiction treatment and detox plans to help those in need of assistance. As a CARF-accredited agency, their medical and psychiatric services are designed according to the individual needs of each person in their care. To learn more about their rehabilitation offerings and to find a location, visit their website.