Minding Your Mind: The Benefits of Meditation

There is no doubt that arrival of the digital age has revolutionized many tasks that impact our daily lives. Meditation is no exception. With so many convenient ways to meditate now, this practice has become increasingly popular. School aged children are practicing mindfulness in classrooms and meditation classes and seminars are abundant in many communities. But, what is meditation exactly? Traditionally understood, it is a solitary practice where one focuses on a particular object, thought, idea, or activity in order to obtain a mentally clear and calm state. Now, you may be imagining a situation where someone is alone in a room in silence, or with some quiet lyric-less music playing in the background. While this is certainly a meditation option that many people practice and cherish, there are many modern conceptions of meditation available at the touch of a button. Before I go into an array of meditation options ranging from more to less traditional, let’s talk a little about why meditation is beneficial. 

Routine meditation has the ability to significantly reduce stress, control anxiety, increase emotional health, increase self-awareness, lengthen attention span and improve memory function as well as generate kindness towards others. Meditation can also help with those struggling with addiction, insomnia, chronic pain, and high blood pressure. Do you identify with any of the above? If so, meditation may be a positive addition to your daily routine! The good news is that you can meditate anywhere, and even taking five minutes out of the day can begin to bring this array of benefits into your life. In order to bring one’s mind into a meditative space in a short timeframe, set a timer on your phone or other device for five minutes to avoid worrying and thinking about the time.

Now that we have reviewed the potential benefits from meditation, let’s talk about the ways in which we can meditate. Firstly, there are two major styles of meditation to choose from: focused-attention meditation and open-monitoring meditation. Confused about how these differ? Don’t worry,we will go over the aspects of each so that you can decide which method and practice best suits your needs, lifestyle, and personality.

Focused-attention meditation brings concentration to a single object, thought, sound or image while easing your mind away from any distraction. Additions to focused-attention meditation may be emphasis on breathing, repetition of a meaningful or poignant mantra, or a calming sound. Open-monitoring meditation on the other hand brings attention to all aspects of the surrounding environment, including thought process and sense of inner self. Included in this method is making the mind aware of thoughts, feelings or ideas you may normally try and suppress.

No matter which method fits you best, there are many ways to engage in meditation, both digital and “off the grid”. The top rated apps for meditation are The Mindfulness App, Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer, and MindBody. One can also turn away from their phone to engage in either method of meditation. To start, sit in a comfortable position with your eyes closed. It is important that this is a position that will remain comfortable throughout the duration of your time meditating. Perhaps turn on some calming meditation music or serene nature sounds—a quick YouTube search will herald many great results. Choose the best for your personal style and comfort. Remember, just five minutes out of your day can get you on the path to a less stressful day and a more confident sense of self.

By Cameron Gaynor