Why I Will Continue to Meditate
A Lesson Learnt In My Final Year of High School
I started Grade 12 a little over a month ago. I can’t lie. It’s been difficult. I’ve been swamped in my classes, busy prepping for university applications, working on weekends, etc. My brain feels so messy and disorganized.
A couple of weeks ago, I reached an all-time low. It was safe to say that I’d been feeling a bit stressed out. And as a result, my mindset hadn’t been the best. Thankfully, my parents suggested that I start meditating and I’m truly grateful that they did.
So, I wanted to write this article to (1) share my basic understanding of meditation as a newbie and (2) hopefully help anyone else who is struggling with stress.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is a type of practice that allows people to “empty” their minds, clearing it of unnecessary/burdensome thoughts.
There are many ways to meditate. Some include:
- Mindfulness meditation: Based on the idea of practicing mindfulness, people focus on being present in their own life. They will first focus on controlling their breath, thereby allowing them to clear their mind of worry.
- Mantra meditation: By silently repeating a word/phrase, people can prevent worrisome thoughts.
- Movement meditation: This includes many forms like yoga, tai chi, and walking. The purpose is to allow people to connect with their bodies and relax.
- Visualization meditation: By imagining a scene, people are able to evoke feelings of peace, whilst also reinforcing positive thoughts.
The concept of meditation was first recorded in India around 1500 BCE. However, it is thought to have originated between 600–500 BCE in both Taoism in China and Buddhism in India. It was initially promoted as a way for people to practice living spiritually and grounded. Because of the Silk Road, meditation practices quickly spread to the rest of the world. The practice evolved and has continued to evolve, even today.
Meditation For Stress
Stress refers to the human reaction that occurs when people feel pressure in a situation.
Amygdala is a region of the brain that is connected to emotion and memory. After assessing the situation, it will determine how people should react. For centuries, humans have relied on this area of the brain to protect themselves from life-threatening situations. In recent years, it can evoke a similar response for simpler situations like approaching a school deadline. This can take a toll on someone’s mental health.
However, studies have been published that showcase how meditation can help shrink the amygdala, which helps it provide a more reasonable reaction to present-day situations (e.g. approaching a deadline). Meditation doesn’t get rid of stress, but instead provides resources to manage it.
Other Benefits
Practicing meditation can evoke a wealth of other benefits, some of which include:
- Managing anxiety: Studies have found that meditation can reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder by providing coping mechanisms.
- Increase attention span: Healthline cites 2 studies where people who practiced meditation were able to focus on tasks for longer periods of time.
- Developing inner strength: Meditation can help people build resilience, allowing them to break toxic habits like smoking.
