A practice where a person uses a technique such as mindfulness or focusing their mind on a particular thought, object or exercise to train attention and awareness in order to achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm, and stable state is meditation. In simple terms, meditation is relaxation which is not about concentration, but about de-concentration. Meditation is not about focusing one’s thoughts on one thing, but instead on becoming thoughtless.

It is a habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your spirits. It is also useful to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, develop concentration, build healthy sleep patterns and even increased pain tolerance. Anyone can do meditation to improve their mental and emotional health anywhere as it does not require any special equipment. There is a different variety of styles of meditation with different strengths and benefits.

Benefits of meditation

Reduces stress and depression and controls anxiety

Promotes emotional health and can generate kindness

Enhances self-awareness and may help fight addictions

Reduce symptoms of panic disorder

Lengthens attention span and may reduce age-related memory loss

Improves better sleep and fosters creativity

Helps control pain and can decrease blood pressure

Reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke