When people talk about meditation, they usually focus on its subjective benefits.
They say meditation makes you calmer, more relaxed, less stressed out.
That’s certainly the case for me; however, in my observation, these are merely prerequisites to much more significant effects that aren’t encountered immediately when starting a meditation practice because the mind is like a pot of water; it takes time for the heat to sink in and permeate.
The following is a list of all the benefits I’ve personally experienced:
#1: Your mind quiets down [which makes you more productive]
You don’t think about what happened earlier today or worry about tomorrow when you meditate. Meditating will bring you to the present moment, which means all your thoughts will be about what’s happening now.
This allows you to act more consciously instead of impulsively.
You’ll also deflect many arguments if you stay calm and listen attentively without overreacting emotionally.
#2: Your mind is sharper
Meditation increases productivity because you have fewer thoughts competing for your attention. This allows you to focus more clearly on whatever task is at hand.
At the same time, meditation reduces stress which causes mental fog and makes it harder to think. As a result, your work quality will improve significantly because you can feel better.
#3: You gain self-control
Meditation gives you the ability to control your thoughts and emotions.
This can be compared to having an off switch for all your neurotic tendencies, which in turn makes you a more likable person.
People will appreciate talking with you and working alongside you because they won’t feel bombarded with things they don’t want to hear or get upset by – they’ll only hear the words that are sincere.
#4: You feel happier [and more grateful]
Meditation naturally increases your positive thoughts and reduces negative thoughts because you spend time alone focusing on yourself.
This makes it easier to see how extraordinary your life is instead of dwelling upon its problems, which will re-emphasize the good things.
Meditation also reminds us of things we’re grateful for and it’s been scientifically proven that gratitude increases happiness.
#5: You sleep better
Your mind is less chaotic, so you won’t have as many racing thoughts preventing you from falling asleep. In addition to this, meditation releases melatonin – the chemical your body produces naturally when it starts getting dark to tell your brain it’s time to sleep.
#6: You overcome addictions
Many people start meditating to quit smoking, drinking, drugs, or other harmful substances.
This is because meditation reduces stress and calms the mind, two key factors in overcoming unhealthy habits. In addition, people who meditate learn to be in control of their thoughts and emotions, which increases their ability to resist temptations.
When you can’t rely on willpower alone, meditation is an invaluable tool for making permanent changes to your behavior.
#7: You’re more relaxed [and happier]
Once again, meditation reduces stress by bringing you into the present moment, which makes everything feel much less urgent.
You’ll also be less likely to overreact and get carried away by strong emotions such as anger, frustration, or anxiety.
You know they’re just temporary and not worth getting upset about.
Meditation will teach you to relax when things aren’t going your way, and it’s effective in stopping panic attacks.
#8: You can focus on one thing at a time [and multitask less]
Meditation will bring you into the present moment, and it’s quite difficult to think about anything else when your mind is calm.
This means that your productivity levels will increase because you won’t get distracted by new ideas or impulses but instead stay focused on the task at hand.
Meditation also reduces multitasking because you won’t be such a slave to your phone and any other digital gadgets.
#9: You’ll look younger [and more attractive]
Meditation is scientifically proven to reduce wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin – it makes you look like someone who’s 15 years younger than you are.
It also makes you look way more attractive by making your face look healthier, and any stress-related wrinkles will fade away because you’ll be much less stressed out.
#10: You’re more compassionate
It’s well established that meditation increases empathy. This means that it will make you a much better friend, colleague, spouse, you are. Meditation also boosts self-esteem because it reduces stress and anxiety, improving your appearance.
#10: You’re better at dealing with difficult people
Meditation helps you stay calm during a confrontation by keeping your mind clear of stressful thoughts. This makes it easier to speak politely and resolve conflict efficiently without saying
#11: You get along better with people
Meditation brings you into the present moment and reduces your negative thoughts, which will make it easier to see other people’s points of view.
At the same time, a calm mind helps you understand where others are coming from emotionally instead of judging them by their behavior.
This makes conversations flow more smoothly because you won’t be trying to ‘win’ all the time.
#12: You’ll become more creative
When your mind is calm and focused, you’ll have clarity of thought, making it easier to brainstorm new ideas.
#12: You’ll sleep better
If you have trouble sleeping, meditation will be your best friend. It relaxes your mind, reduces stress levels, and improves the quality of your sleep because you’ll become much less anxious about life.
There are plenty of guided meditations that will teach you to fall asleep quickly.
#13: You’ll have a stronger immune system
Meditation makes your mind and body strong, a recipe for having a healthy immune system. It also reduces inflammation caused by stress-related illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, etc.
#14: You’ll find it easier to get along with others
Meditation will help you get along better with people in general because you’ll realize that no one is perfect, and there are always two sides to every story.
It also boosts self-esteem, making you a lot more comfortable around other people and less likely to judge them.
#15: You’ll have more confidence
Meditating regularly will boost your confidence because you’ll feel calmer and more in control of your mind. It also reduces negative thoughts, which makes you take yourself less seriously and increases self-acceptance. This makes it easier to voice your opinions without feeling like you’re being attacked.
#16: You’ll feel less stressed out
Meditation reduces stress and anxiety, which can make a big difference in your life because these emotions are the root of a whole range of problems.
Stress makes it hard to sleep, causes acne, ruins relationships, and makes you miss work more often while increasing errors. It also weakens the immune system and increases the risk of serious diseases.
#17: You’ll learn to accept yourself
Meditation shifts your focus from self-concern – “What can I do to make me happy?” – to others – “How can I help the world?” This changes your perspective because you start to see everyone as connected, making it easier to accept and love yourself and others.
#18: You’ll improve your focus
Focus is a skill that can be learned with practice, and meditation will help by calming your mind and strengthening willpower.
In time, you’ll be able to focus for longer without getting distracted as easily, which makes it easier to meet deadlines on time. If you’re struggling with focus because you’re easily distracted, alpha brain waves can help.
#19: You’ll boost your memory and creativity
Meditation strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for many things, including long-term memory, planning, and abstract thinking.
Meditation has also been shown to increase creativity in young adults, so it’s likely to do the same for you.
Do you want to know more?
You can also download free meditations on Headspace to try them out.
If you want something more challenging, check out guided meditations for beginners on You’re interested in learning more scratch.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start meditating today and become the best version of yourself!