Many think of the term “meditation” and the mind probably conjures up an image of a person sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, and breathing in… what is that, incense? A very Eat, Pray, Love-esque vision. Throw in a few crystals and tarot cards, and bam, we’re in woo-woo land.
Strictly speaking, meditation is just an umbrella term used to denote a wide range of mentally relaxing activities. If you believe the latest social media trends and the mounting science, meditation is the next best thing after sliced bread. Nevertheless, for a person new to meditating, this process might often seem very intimidating and not always worth the hype.
However, in reality, meditation can be something as simple as focusing on your breathing pattern to calm your mind. It is important to note that meditation is definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ activity, and what may work for Mr A might not necessarily work for Miss B.
Therefore, the question to be asked is whether meditation is actually worth all the hype and effort?
Fortunately for us, this is an easy one to answer because of the innumerable studies and research done on the subject. Yes, meditation is effective, but only if done consistently. In order words, if you are a newbie, meditating once is unlikely to give you all those benefits you’ve heard or read about. It will take consistent effort spread across a few weeks to enter and stay in that zone of mental relaxation.
So how does meditation actually work and how do you start the process?
Meditation is essentially learning to focus on a single thing, be it a physical object, or as mentioned earlier, breathing in and out. The first time you try this, constant thoughts will probably flit in and out of your mind. Don’t pay too much attention to these thoughts. The important thing is to not try and force them out of your mind because this will only cause you to fixate on them further.
The best way to deal with these distracting thoughts is to be aware of them, but not dwell on them. This is called being mindful and it comes with practice. The key is to be patient and kind to yourself.
By focusing on something and controlling your breathing cycle, you’re essentially creating a state of tranquillity within your mind that helps you become less reactive to stress and other emotions.
Your brain is a muscle just like the other parts of your body. Think of it this way- just as regular weight training may help you in lifting heavier things, training your mind through meditation helps it manage emotionally heavy situations.
If you’ve been meaning to make time to start meditating, this is your sign! Start small, maybe for around 15-20 minutes every day and keep a journal to track your progress. And if you’re looking for a nootropic supplement that will support you through this, check out our Calm supplement, a premium nootropic blend of patented ingredients that is proven to help with mood balance, stress adaptation, and overall brain health.
To know one's own mind is nothing short of life-changing. Think about using apps like the Calm app that serves you daily 10 minute meditations, and a raft of other fantastic resource to guide you with your meditative goal.
Namaste.
Love your brain,
The Yootropics Team