Why do people meditate for 3,000 years? 21 wonderful (yet scientific!) reasons for doing the same

There are more than 3,000 scientific studies that prove the many benefits of the practice of meditation. Its popularity has increased in recent years, which is excellent news. Meditating is terrific for the body, mind, and spirit, helping us live better. Seeing is believing! Keep reading by clicking on the arrows.

Many people take up meditation because it has a reputation for reducing stress. And it's true; many studies confirm that those who meditate see their levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) decrease. In addition, harmful effects such as anxiety and depression, increased blood pressure, and sleep disturbances also decrease.

Many studies confirm that meditators have reduced anxiety disorders such as social anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Meditating helps people develop a positive view of themselves and life, helping to fuel positive thinking and optimism.

An experiment conducted by a group of Harvard neuroscientists shows an increase in the concentration of gray matter in areas of the brain involved in learning and memory and in those that regulate emotions, sense of self, and perspective. Isn't it fantastic?

Long-term meditation improves the ability to generate gamma waves in the brain. What does this increase entail? Greater ease of learning, strengthening of memory, and strong self-control. People with high levels of gamma waves, such as Tibetan monks who meditate the most, are also naturally happier, calmer, and more at peace.

Those who meditate acquire a greater sense of well-being, self-control, and peace. Over time, together with the will, it helps people eliminate their dangerous addictions.

A study by the University of California observed that meditators manage to keep their attention span high, performing up to 10 times better than non-meditators in activities designed to induce stress due to imminent deadlines, similar to living in too many offices nowadays.

Studies show that medium-long-term meditation significantly improves the gyrification processes, held responsible for efficient information processing and, therefore, for the ability to make better decisions.

Physical or emotional pain has less effect on the meditator's brain, making them more empathetic, supportive, and helpful to those who suffer and themselves.

In a study of 50 people with ADHD, the group who experimented with mindfulness meditation experienced reduced hyperactivity, decreased impulsivity, and increased awareness, contributing to an overall improvement in attention deficit symptoms.

Multitasking is a false productivity myth that produces stress and errors. Changing focus and activity continuously is very tiring for the brain, which responds by fueling feelings of distraction and dissatisfaction with what is being done. Meditation helps us not to fall into this trap by helping us sort out tasks in our days.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Sussex in the UK shows that people who meditate experience a longer pause between their unconscious impulses and the actual action and are less prone to hypnosis.

Meditation also positively affects creativity and divergent thinking, which is crucial when we need new ideas.

Meditation has been found to significantly reduce the risk of mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in patients with coronary artery disease. In addition, consistent practice lowers blood pressure and significant psychosocial stressors.

The practice of meditation produces a variety of genetic and molecular effects on the participants. In particular, the levels of pro-inflammatory genes have been reduced, thus favoring a faster body recovery from a stressful and painful situation.

Research conducted by a group of neuroscientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison concluded that meditation is more effective in relieving inflammatory symptoms than other wellness-promoting actions or practices.

The research results published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity confirm that meditating 30 minutes a day reduces the sense of loneliness, depression, and the risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease.

Some forms of meditation can benefit telomere length by reducing cognitive stress and promoting hormonal factors that can help maintain telomeres, such as improving mood and prolonging positive attitudes. Telomeres are an essential part of human cells as they influence the aging process.

Those who meditate fall asleep earlier on average and sleep longer, partly because promoting relaxation and control of thoughts that generate stress allows us to remain in ideal conditions to rest well and in peace.

Scientists believe meditation helps manage emotional hunger, which causes obesity. Once again, better control of one's thoughts and, therefore, of one's emotions makes the difference in one's well-being.

By promoting relaxation and clarity in one's thoughts, meditating is a panacea for the nervous system. Just as we shower to cleanse the body daily, we should meditate to purify the nervous system of accumulated stress.