How Meditation Can Release Anxiety & Stress

Scientific research into meditation is only just starting to find pace, but already results are suggesting the amazing potential that meditation has for health – both physical and mental. Stress is a major cause of illness and disturbances, and meditation seems to reduce it.

Meditation is a process whereby the mind is focused single pointedly, usually on the breath. This allows the practitioner to transcend the usual chatter of thoughts, and enter a deeper state of consciousness, and access more relaxed brain waves.

Though release of stress was not the primary goal of religious practitioners in the East, who sought to understand the mystical forces of life, it is a very pleasant and useful side effect. For modern practitioners, meditation is a powerful tool that can be used for any number of reasons, including the reduction of stress and anxiety.

There are many different types of meditation, such as yoga, guided meditations, mantras, even staring into the ocean and listening to the waves. However you choose to practice, you can expect meditation to result in a more tranquil mind. Why is this the case?

Why Does Meditation Release Anxiety & Stress?

Scientific research into meditation is only just starting to find pace, but already results are suggesting the amazing potential that meditation has for health – both physical and mental. Stress is a major cause of illness and disturbances, and meditation seems to reduce it.

One study showed that those who had practiced meditation regularly for six weeks showed less emotional distress and immune system response when in stressful situations. Another study from the University of Wisconsin found an increase in brain activity in the left frontal lobe – often linked to optimism.

One of the reasons for this maybe that mindfulness meditation activates a response known as the relaxation response. This is effectively the opposite of fight-or-flight. During meditation, breathing, pulse, metabolism, and blood pressure are all reduced.

Meditation also changes your brainwave frequency. We usually operate on beta frequency, which is very rushed and anxious. It helps us to function during a busy day, but at the same time it can be hard to switch off. Meditation encourages more alpha and theta brain activity, which is more associated with relaxation.

According to a Harvard article, mindfulness and meditation have some practical reasons for reducing anxiety, as well as mere physical responses. Meditation helps people to take more control over their thoughts, and distinguish between a real concern and a useless niggle.

Meditation, Awareness, & Responsibility

Science helps us to understand more about the effects of meditation, but experienced practitioners will tell you that meditation has a certain impact on your ability to be in the present moment, and reduce thoughts that are concerned with the past and the future, and with events that cannot be controlled.

It also encourages an increased awareness of how you feel, and your own emotional state. With time and practice, you basically get to know yourself better. With this, comes the ability to be able to change who you are, to be happier, and more responsive to your own moods and emotions. You start to become responsible for your own thoughts.

This is extremely empowering from anyone, and for those who suffer from stress and anxiety it can be a mental life jacket that will led to significant long term improvements. With awareness and responsibility, comes choice.

How To Begin Your Journey

Your journey towards a better life, with less stress and less worry, begins with a little practice. You only have to meditate for 10 minutes a day to really feel the benefit. Any more that you do is a benefit, but with just a short regular session you will soon begin to find a more relaxed state of mind.

Free guided meditations coming soon on my blog and YouTube channel, aimed at reducing stress and anxiety.