Better Than Vacation: 6 Blissful Benefits of Meditation

Stellar sleep, a healthier brain, lower inflammation, and better mood? Meditation can do all of that and more!

With so many things on your busy to-do list, hitting the pause button to meditate might seem like a waste of time. But before you skip it in favor of catching up on email, remember this: a Harvard study found that meditation is actually better for your health than going on vacation! ¹

There are impressive, scientifically-backed advantages to regular meditation, both for your emotional and physical health. In fact, ten months after that Harvard study, women who meditated daily rather than going on vacation were still reporting benefits.

Read on to learn about all that meditation has to offer, and find out how you can experience the life-changing benefits for yourself in just 15-30 minutes a day…

As a busy entrepreneur, the one thing I prioritize is great sleep. I don’t perform at my best when I don’t sleep well, so getting 7–9 hours of quality sleep is non-negotiable. My Sleep Cheat Sheet gives you my top tips for solid, consistent sleep every night. Get the FREE guide here.

Meditation slows aging

Want to stay healthier longer? Meditation can help that happen on a genetic level! Structures at the end of your chromosomes called “telomeres” can shorten due to stress and lead to accelerated aging.³Meditation has been proven to protect your telomeres and your health.⁴

Meditation boosts brain function

Studies show that meditation can improve your brain’s ability to change and develop with new learning.⁴ That means big benefits, including better focus, memory, and other important mental skills.⁵ (If you know the story of my son Grant’s traumatic brain injury, then you can understand why brain health is especially important to me…)

Meditation improves mood

Meditation is a great way to lift your mood and manage stress! Studies show that meditation improves symptoms of anxiety and depression and leads to increased levels of endorphins, your natural feel-good chemicals.^7-9 Meditation also helps lower cortisol, your main stress hormone that can cause serious issues when chronically elevated. ⁷

Meditation enhances sleep quality

Get ready to catch some great z’s with meditation! Research proves that meditation has multiple effects on body and brain functions that are key to quality sleep^{,9, 10} Meditation helps you relax, plus it can increase levels of melatonin, a critical sleep-regulating hormone.^8-10

Meditation limits emotional eating

Ever felt the urge to drown your sorrows in a pint of mint cookie? Turn to meditation instead! Studies found that people who meditate pay more attention to the present moment and make healthier decisions, which translates to less emotional eating.^10,11 Goodbye, late-night freezer raids!

Meditation reduces inflammation

Chronic inflammation plays a role in many serious conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune disorders.¹³ Stress is a powerful trigger of inflammation, and studies show that meditation improves your body’s ability to manage stress, plus triggers changes that decrease inflammation.^14,15

Full disclosure here: I used to think that meditation was daunting. I’m not a “sit still and clear your mind” kind of person! But all of that changed with a little help from my pal Emily Fletcher at Ziva Meditation. She helped me realize that not only is meditation enjoyable, it can also fit into the busiest of schedules.

Now that you know all of meditation’s amazing benefits, are you ready to get started? Check out this podcast with Emily Fletcher and learn about zivaMind, her online meditation training program that can improve your health and transform your life.

No matter what your personal goals are, the end destination is always the same: To feel better than you ever have. My Ultimate Health Roadmap provides short, actionable steps you can take RIGHT NOW to be the best version of you. The guide is FREE, and you can only get it here.

The views in this blog by JJ Virgin should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please work with a healthcare practitioner concerning any medical problem or concern. The information here is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

References

1 http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/relaxation-benefits-meditation-stronger-relaxation-benefits-taking-vacation-2016102710532