How Meditation Can Help You Combat Anxiety and Depression

Plantie Picks

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2018

Complex, delicate and oh, so drinkable! This Pinot Noir lives up to its outstanding reputation with a magnificent layering of red cherries,...

Viña Cobos Bramare Malbec Lujan de Cuyo 2016

This deep purple Malbec is perfectly balanced with a beautiful complexity of dark fruit and quality minerality along with some tobacco. Grapes...

Our Favorite Plant-based household products

It is shocking how many household products we use on a regular basis are not vegan or cruelty-free. Tons of animal-derived ingredients...

Château du Parc Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015

Big bold Saint-Émilion Bordeaux, with a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The nose is driven by black fruit. Powerful plum and...

TRY OUR FAVORITE COVID-STRESS REDUCING & IMMUNITY BOOSTING SUPPLEMENTS

Suffering from COVID stress? You’re not alone. The novel coronavirus is leaving a trail of anxiety-ridden people in its wake.

Mindfulness and guided meditation are known for easing anxiety and mental stress. In recent years, people have started using meditation instead of medicine to prevent health issues and cure depression. Here’s why.

Meditation has been around for hundreds of years, however, it’s not seriously until 2013 when a scientific study on the effects of meditation have been made public. The research called “Neural Correlates of Mindfulness Meditation-Related Anxiety Relief” shows specifically on how meditation affects the human brain.

Anxiety is a mental state when a person is unable to regulate emotions. Also, Mindfulness meditation helps to manage that mental state and improves human cognitive abilities to regulate emotions.

Related Article: 20 Fun Ways to Get In Shape

In the 2013 study, The researchers saw what areas of the human brain, activated, during mindfulness meditations and how it prevents anxiety symptoms. Fifteen volunteers took part in the research. They had no previous meditation experience or anxiety symptoms. After four 20-minute meditation sessions, the research proved that anxiety has significantly reduced in every session. Brain imaging found anxiety reliefs affecting those areas involved with control of worrying and executive function. Now onto the specifics of different meditations.

What’s the difference between mindfulness meditation and a guided meditation?

Mindfulness meditation mainly focused on breathing and body sensations. Participants of this kind of meditation are thought to evaluate their thoughts and emotions in a non-judgmental way. Generally guided by a narrator, every mindfulness meditation is a guided meditation. However, there are several types of guided meditations.

The second most-known guided meditation is a loving-kindness meditation that specifically focused on sympathizing thoughts towards yourself and others. It’s a popular self-care technique that is great both for easing anxiety and developing well-being. In comparison to mindfulness meditation, LKM (loving-kindness meditation) is concentrated on loving energy instead of thoughts. Though this type of meditation may be harder for the beginners, as it is scientifically proven that an average person is not used to this level of receiving and giving love.

Both types of meditation generally known for changing brain structure and having dramatic mental and physical benefits.

Related Article: 5 Ways to Get Creative with Fresh Herbs

If you’ve always wanted to try out a meditation either to cure anxiety symptoms or relieve some stress, here are some sources for you to start:

5-Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere

Firstly, In just 5 minutes you can reset your day in a positive way.

7 Min Meditation to Start Your Day | Yoga With Adriene

Secondly, Use this 7 Min Meditation to set a positive intention for the course of your day.

10-Minute Meditation For Anxiety

Lastly, Take a moment and let this guided meditation relieve your anxiety.

Featured

Managing Circadian Rhythms: Are You Working With or Against Your Natural Sleep Cycle?

Anyone who’s ever Googled “Why am I so tired?” or taken a biology class has heard about circadian rhythms. They’re our bodies’...

The Lowdown on Intuitive Eating: What It Is and How to Do It

Move over diet culture! You've had your time in the sun, and we're done with you. We're on to bigger and (much)...

Trouble Sleeping? Try Adding These 6 Foods to Your Diet

It may feel as if caffeine can solve your every problem, but nothing beats the natural buzz of a good night’s sleep—but...

Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish (But It Can Be Boring)

Do you roll your eyes at the phrase “self-care?” You’re not alone. We don’t all have time for bath bombs and face...

Tips and Tricks for Succeeding in Veganuary (And How to Thrive Plant-Based Year-Round)

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've heard of Veganuary — and if not, don't worry. That's why we're here. 

More For You