verb. 1 : to engage in contemplation or reflection He meditated long and hard before announcing his decision. 2 : to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness.
Defined by Merriam -Webster Dictionary. With regards to Mindfulness and Meditation, I’ll focus on #2 – “to engage in mental exercise”. Meditation is a brain training tool. It sounds like a peaceful, relaxing activity which it is but it is also much harder than other relaxing activities like chilling in a pool or laying in the grass.
The benefits of Meditation are many. From feeling more calm to feeling more energized. Meditation can serve you differently at different times of the day. If you haven’t tried it out, consider meditating in the morning one week in the evenings the following week.
Research shows that meditation can positively change your brain and enhance your senses. Neuroscientist Dr. Sara Lazar shared, “When you’re mindful, you’re paying attention to your breathing, to sounds, to the present moment experience, and shutting cognition down. It stands to reason your senses would be enhanced.”
Meditation is a learned skill that requires practice. If practiced enough, it is a tool you can access anywhere anytime. If you don’t have a consistent meditation practice, consider joining me for Meditation Mondays. Learn more here.