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5 Changes You Notice After Daily Meditation for a Month.

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My life — and probably yours — is full of distractions, urgent tasks and expectations.

My brain flits back and forth between responsibilities, and I can get swept along in this fast-paced world. After a while, the busyness and diversions can become overwhelming.

About a month ago, I decided to participate in meditation more fully. Most of my previous experiences with meditation were short sessions that didn’t really qualify as deep. But after learning about the progressive stages and committing to the habit, I entered the immersive experience in a new way.

I chose to keep my sessions to about an hour a day, and after a month, I saw substantial developments in my health and mind that I wasn’t predicting. Here are five changes I noticed in my journey of deep meditation.

1. Better Sleep: A significant improvement I noticed a few days into the process was a higher quality of sleep. I had experienced trouble achieving restful sleep for years, and with the relaxation benefits of meditation, I could fall asleep quicker without as many moments waking up during the night.

One study, comparing mindfulness meditation and sleep hygiene education in older participants, found greater success with the meditation technique. To regulate the circadian rhythm, disrupting impediments need to go. Peaceful meditation eliminated barriers to my sleep and helped me drift off.

2. Enhanced Focus: It’s challenging for me to tune out my surroundings when I need to concentrate. But the practice of orienting one’s mind for serenity can discipline the overall ability to focus. Dedicating a large portion of time to mindfulness allowed me to fix my mind on other tasks afterward, like work and hobbies.

With the influence of meditative direction, I am more aware of where my mind wanders and able to resist distractions. A study on the brain patterns of experienced meditators and nonmeditators illustrates this result. The expert meditators showed better mental stability and command over their thoughts.

3. Reduced Stress: From work to personal relationships, I often let tension get the better of me. Negative thoughts and worry are a regular part of my day, and many others go through stress and serious anxiety. But once I incorporated extensive meditation into my routine, I was calmer and more confident in coping with stressors.

Part of anxiety and stress is allowing unconstructive concerns to hold too much weight. According to a study on participants with anxiety, even one session of meditation can lower anxiety levels. Regulated breathing and observing thoughts can steer people toward relief from anxiety and its effects.

4. Pain Management: Although my intent for meditation didn’t factor in my back and joint pain, I picked up a shift in my comfort level during and after deliberate meditation. Connecting my mind and body drove me to some pain relief. Most of my pain was in my back due to poor posture and regular wear and tear. But decompressing increased my pain threshold and diminished my discomfort.

I adjusted my pain tolerance through understanding my body’s signals and responding appropriately to them. For those with chronic pain, doctors recommend this approach. Because mindfulness meditation has reduced chronic pain by 57 percent in clinical trials, many use it as a minor treatment to manage their symptoms.

5. Increased Memory: As I’ve aged, I’ve witnessed more forgetful moments come up where my memory fails me. Recalling important details can wane over time, and brains simply deteriorate when people age. But continual meditation keeps the memory capability healthier, and I detected a difference in accessing information after my intensive meditation.

In one study considering cognitive decline due to age, researchers looked at the gray matter of long-time meditators and non-meditating individuals in the same age bracket. Meditators had less atrophy in their brain’s gray matter, showing a possibility of better clarity of mind.

Practice Meditation for Significant Benefits

During my meditation journey, I saw several changes in my physical, mental and emotional well-being that enhanced my life. Quieting the mind for a set time each day can offer a haven from the world and stress. Deep meditative practices can bring unexpected benefits, and I was really pleasantly surprised by the impact of this habit.

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Kate Harveston

Kate Harveston

Kate Harveston is a freelance writer and blogger. Her work focuses on health and culture. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found curled up in her hammock with a book or exploring the city for trendy coffee shops. You can visit her blog, So Well, So Woman to read more of her work and receive a free subscriber gift!
Kate Harveston