The secret health benefits of Meditation are the subtle effects that happen quietly in the background without your conscious awareness.
The first term I will introduce is Homeostasis. (Just read it slowly and that is how it is meant to sound)
Homeostasis is when the different systems of the body work together to regulate the optimal conditions for you internal function.
And to put that more simply… it’s the body striving for ‘balance’.
Now, the body is made up of 11 major organ systems.
I will run through them here to give you a better idea of the complexities involved in this process.
(1) Integumentary (skin), (2) skeletal, (3) muscular, (4) nervous, (5) endocrine (hormones), (6) circulatory, (7) lymphatic (disease defence), (8) respiratory, (9) digestive, (10) urinary, and (11) reproductive.
Every second of your existence is monitored and continual adjustments are made to each and every system.
Yes, the Human body is Amazing!
Practically… when you eat, your body must create specific enzymes and focus blood flow for digestion to occur. When you go for a run, your body must regulate your temperature or you will overheat. If you tread on a rusty nail, several body systems must work together to repair the injury site and protect you against infection. The practical examples are the easiest to imagine.
But let’s consider stress.
How Stress Affects the Body
Although stress is not a physical influence, think of a deadline, or financial concern, or relationship conflict … and you will know this definitely affects your function. The body must continually monitor and adjust to a variety of influencing conditions.
Homeostasis is in continual motion to keep you balanced.
The second terms I will introduce make up your autonomic nervous system. The two divisions are the sympathetic and parasympathetic. Too much of a mouthful? Well try this. You are either in ‘Fight or Flight’ mode… Or ‘Rest and Digest’ mode…
The easiest imagery to help with the explanation is from a time long ago. A caveman had to Fight to kill his dinner, or Flight from a predator so that he wasn’t dinner. Adrenalin was pumping through his body either way. That is operating in the sympathetic nervous system. Then, when all was quiet and he sat in his cave poking his fire with a stick for entertainment… he could really unwind. And with no job, no bills and no phone he could have really relaxed! The parasympathetic mode of operation.
But in the hectic world we live in today – many of us remain in ‘go-mode’. It is common to feel stressed out. How many times have you said, ‘I Need a Holiday!’ and for just half a second pictured yourself on a tropical beach before the real world smothered you again. You don’t have the time, you don’t have the money, and how could you get rid of the kids!
But if you function in Fight or Flight mode for too long the body starts to get worn out. It’s a proven fact.
Placing too much continual stress on the body leads to poor health, both physical and emotional.
It’s easy to get trapped in a downward spiral. Even though you don’t feel good, you try to do just as much when you were 100 percent. But you don’t do it as good, it takes longer than before, you make silly mistakes and create more work for yourself… We have all been there. The further trap many of us fall into is to try even harder. We put in more effort, work longer hours, and sacrifice the few of life’s pleasures we have for what we call the necessities. It’s a slippery slope. Burn out and disease can be the body’s way of demanding rest. Unfortunate but true.
Homeostasis
So back to Homeostasis … the balance of the body … the balance of the many influences in your life.
There will always be times when you need to Go-Go-Go. And they are often the most exciting and fun times of life. But how do you Rest and Digest? (And that’s not sitting on the couch after dinner rubbing your belly.)
When do you dedicate yourself time – to escape from the stresses of the day?
Taking time to balance is best in frequent doses. They can be short bursts – but frequent respite from stress is very important. Committing to regular practice is giving yourself the opportunity to live your life to the best of your ability.
Meditation
Meditation is a great way to assist homeostasis. In a short meditation, your mind is given time away from your regular day. This allows your body to relax, so the 11 systems can focus on keeping you happy and healthy. With practice, it only takes a minute to relax into your healing parasympathetic nervous division.
Some results of meditation are obvious and immediate. Your breathing is deeper, you feel lighter and refreshed … But the many deeper benefits of meditation work secretly in the background; Longevity and good health.
Either way, Meditation is good for you. Don’t just ‘remember’ that balance in your life is important … Practice It. Take 10 minutes now to improve your life.
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Relaxation and De-Stress Meditations
These guided meditations are designed to assist you to relax, unwind and de-stress. They are great for beginners to meditation, or anyone simply needing to take some time out from their busy schedule.
External Information…
How Meditation Affects the Gray Matter of the Brain – David R. Hamilton, Ph.D. – huffingtonpost.com
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Your Welcome Usman, I love exploring these diverse topics and sharing what i find. It’s a pleasure!
Thanks for a great article and the amazing work you are doing bringing the knowledge of guided meditations to the internet world.
Keep up the great work 🙂
Well done, this article. The health effects and benefits can be felt and noticed after the end of a guided meditation. Someone is reacting in a more balanced and relaxed way, being free of stress and nervousness. And still, the health impact could even be bigger, when the meditation is combined and enriched with other practices (Yoga, Tai Chi, hypnosis, focusing and concentration exercises, meditation music, dance movements, etc.) more on top of it. A guided meditation can and will help to discover and explore what someone’s real identity and personality is, what someone truely feels and believes indeed, and, last not least, how to trust someone’s own intuition in life. Please, keep up the good work in this sense ! Thank you !
Well put Torsten, Yes, Meditation is just one aspect of spirituality. It provides a moment to pause and evaluate the progress of your many other interests.
Spot on!!
I have suffered with depression for many years, tried different medication and a few times got so low i felt i couldn’t go on with life which is truly awful to feel that way; a couple of years ago i went to a spiritual center near me just to keep my friend company and suddenly my eyes were opened to meditation….
i try to meditate at least once a day now and really my whole out look on life has changed for the better, no more anti-depressants (not saying you shouldn’t take theses if you need them), i feel 100 times calmer, cope better with life’s challenges, and now “I FEEL ALIVE”.
Congratulation Dee, well done. The benefits of Meditation are many… but reading a list does nothing compared to a personal transformation such as yours. Meditation Changes Lives for the Better! 🙂 When I have felt depressed (when looking back on those periods with clear perspective) I’ve realized that for me it can arise from feeling alone. A longing for connection… Meditation re-connects me with my true-self… the first step.
hi Nigel, a very enlightening and informative article, well done. Meditation can help to take you out of depression I’ve found, to redirect one’s thoughts and intent. It all starts with the mind, when we learn to master it, we can ultimately choose how we feel and respond to different situations in our lives. There will always be challenges, but though conscious awareness and meditation, the bumps in life become smoother.
Thanks Brad. The challenge for me, and I suspect for many, is to live with continual conscious awareness. I think it is very dependent on who we surround ourselves with, what we expose ourselves to, and yes, to meditate to view your path with perspective. I’m not saying – Sit in a cave for a year to limit distractions, but rather, choose your friends and your pastimes wisely. I had to give up a bunch of sarcastic drinking buddies. I had a lot of fun with them, but it wasn’t serving me well.
Hi Nigel, I love your site, love your meditations and all the info that you post! Very, very informative and so useful in our everyday lives! I’ve practicing all types of mediation the last year and a half and it’s amazing for my well being in many many ways, thanks for all your efforts!
Brilliant Angela, Submerging yourself into meditation – and exploring all the different modalities, is surely a great way to broaden your internal and external perspective. There are many paths to peace and many paths to God. I can tell by the energy in your message that you are loving life! Woo Hoo!
Nigel and Brad you have both been integral to my journey to be free of addictions to people, behaviours and substances of various kinds. I am so grateful to you both for the generous and genuine support. You are truly ascended masters in training!! Love and light, Michelle.
Oh, thanks Michelle. We do it because we love it – but amazing comments like yours remind us we are doing good. Congratulations on your self-development – may you continue to shine! Many Blessings.
Thank you for the post and for giving me a New Word & Its Meaning as It is a new word for me, thank you for this as it is a timely reminder,I am got so much stress going on I have not even thought about doing meditation as to stressed out but know I have got to try and make time as it would help even if it is while I am meditating and a short time afterwards, Blessings to you always and everyone who contributes to your blog x
Hi Selina, when you are super busy and stressed out – that is the PERFECT time to meditate! Stand on the spot and silently count 10 slow deep breaths as you take them. Center your energy. Ground yourself. It takes less than 1 minute and the results will amaze you. Ten breaths is all it takes!
I thoroughly enjoy and benefit from your emails, which I share with family and friends. It gives me great joy when I see your emails come through. The info has answered my many curious questions and slowly completes the puzzle of the many vague answers. Yes the few minutes into meditation does bring peace and calm into ones state of mind. It also changes ones character, personaluity and out look in life, Prem Naidoo.
Such a beautiful comment Prem – Thank You Greatly. I am glad to be able to assist your spiritual journey. Namaste.
Hello Nigel,
Thank you for a wonderful and thorough explanation of the benefits of meditation. I have never felt better since commencing a daily practice of meditation 4 years ago. I’m living proof – I have so much energy, am able to maintain balance during stressful times and have focus and never get sick. I recommend meditation to everyone now.
Thank you for your awesome site, I look forward to reading more. Love and blessings, Lisa
Thanks Lisa! As living proof of the benefits of meditation, you are shining your light unto the world to make it a brigter and lighter place!
You offer everything that I need here as I strive for inner-peace in a crazy world. Thank you so much!
Thanks Tamara for the feedback, you’re very welcome! 🙂