The Power of Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health

Our minds are always going 1000 miles per hour. We are always focused on our jobs, routine, obligations, etc. We are used to overdelivering, which can lead to mental exhaustion, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.

That necessity of always being active or the “FOMO” we feel when we check our social media makes us believe that taking time for ourselves is a waste. But that belief couldn’t be more wrong.

Nowadays, Mental Health is more important than EVER; according to KKF (Kaiser Family Foundation):

“half (50%) of adults ages 18-24 reported anxiety and depression symptoms in 2023, compared to about a third of adults overall. Also, nearly 4 in 10 (39.3%) adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in February 2021, compared to 32.3 percent in 2023.”

What can we do about it?

For people going through average amounts of stress, mindfulness and meditation techniques can improve their lives.

But before explaining the benefits of it, let’s start from the beginning.

What is meditation?

Meditation encompasses a range of practices aimed at integrating the mind and body with the purpose of promoting mental serenity and overall wellness. Various forms of meditation involve directing mental attention towards specific sensations, such as the breath, sounds, visual imagery, or the repetition of a word or phrase, known as a mantra.

Additional forms of meditation include the practice of mindfulness, where the focus lies on sustaining attention and awareness on the present moment without engaging in judgments or evaluations.

In other words, according to The University of California:

“Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.”

Studies about meditation and mindfulness

The mechanisms behind the effects of meditation and mindfulness are a subject of study. Some research indicates that these practices influence the functioning or structure of the brain. Studies have employed diverse techniques to measure brain activity in individuals practicing mindfulness. Additionally, certain studies propose that meditation and mindfulness training can lead to brain activity alterations. Nevertheless, interpreting these findings is challenging, and the practical implications still need to be clarified.

But in all these studies, there is one prominent result (in most patients), people who practice meditation and mindfulness notice an improvement in dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, pain, and other mental health conditions.

The journey of mental health

All cases are different, but if you need to try something to learn how to channel your emotions and make time for self-love, trying this technique can change your life. Remember is all about the journey, not the destination.