Meditation Benefits Continue to GROW
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 16, 2022
I’ll admit it. Many of the folks promoting meditation in the past were hippy-dippy types. And the “woo” surrounding it could be a bit too much to take.
But, ironically, those incense-burning, chanting New Agers were RIGHT about meditation’s BENEFITS all along.
A growing pile of research leaves little doubt that meditation… sitting quietly for a while focusing on your breath, health, or even religious thoughts… can have REAL-WORLD payoffs.
In fact, some are SO impressive they seem almost too good to be true.
If you feel you need to be busy and entertained every moment you’re awake, you’re in good company. Most of us feel that way these days.
So we fill every potentially silent moment with things like listening to music, watching TV, and playing on our smartphones. Our poor overworked brains never get a break.
But studies have already shown that slowing down and sitting quietly in meditation helps to:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Ease depression
- Improve sleep
- Boost self-confidence
- Curb negative thoughts and emotions
- Lower inflammation
- Ease pain
- Decrease blood pressure
And as impressive as that list is, it’s still NOT all these good bugs can do!
A group of researchers found that meditating for a few minutes every day could protect your brain from getting Alzheimer’s.
The study published in JAMA Neurology followed 137 men and women for a year and a half. The researchers found that volunteers who meditated had an increased global composite score and better attention regulation and socioemotional and self-knowledge capacities compared to their peers.
If that last sentence made you say, “Huh?” don’t worry. It’s just a bunch of scientific jargon that essentially boils down to “their brains worked significantly better.”
Scientists aren’t completely clear yet why meditation brings all these benefits. But one thing is for sure, and that is it works.
So if you haven’t already made it a part of your regular routine, it’s high time you do. And I can help you get started. I prefer to start with a type of meditation called “mindfulness.” It’s easy to understand and simple to do.
To practice mindfulness, simply pay close attention to whatever task you’re doing at the moment. For example, if you’re washing dishes notice how the water feels, smell the subtle scent of the soap, and listen to the sound of the water splashing.
Focus all of your attention on your senses and shut out any outside thoughts.
If you’re up for trying something more ambitious, sit comfortably in a quiet place and focus all your attention on your breath. Slowly breathe in through your nose for about three seconds, hold that breath for three seconds, and then breathe out slowly for three seconds.
Do this for several minutes a few times a week to start.
I recently watched a video from Dan Harris, a former ABC News anchor who turned to meditation after an on-air panic attack. It’s a funny video, worth the watch. And it demonstrates how life-changing meditation can be even for someone who steers clear of anything “new age.”
If you have trouble meditating and feel like giving up, try changing tactics instead. Sit in a quiet place for 10-15 minutes a day and do nothing at all. This “timeout” can be nearly as beneficial for your brain.
P.S. New research reveals a DRUG-FREE way to dial down your blood sugar that rivals prescription meds. Click here to find out how it directly ties in with today’s topic.
Source:
“Effect of an 18-Month Meditation Training on Regional Brain Volume and Perfusion in Older Adults: The Age-Well Randomized Clinical Trial,” JAMA Neurol. Published online 10.10.22. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.3185
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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