WHY MEDITATE?

It’s one of the best things you can do for your brain, and the results can be instant. When you meditate, and aim to avoid rumination or intentional thinking for a few minutes, it activates parts of the brain associated with wakeful yet relaxed attention.

One study found that people who meditated by acknowledging any passing thoughts and sensations, but without focusing on them, generated more ideas.

Just a single session can have a positive impact, with a study from 2018 showing that a one-hour introductory mindfulness meditation session reduced arterial stress for participants who were suffering from anxiety. A consistent habit will add up to even bigger changes. American scientists found that just four days of 20-minute meditation sessions meant participants performed better on cognitive tests and processed information faster. Stick with it for eight weeks, and you’ll be changing areas of your brain associated with memory and stress. If you suffer from stress or anxiety, meditation has been shown to reduce the harmful inflammatory reactions to stress that happen in your body. And meditation isn’t just for the present moment, it can help prepare you for future challenges: “Even five minutes a day is really going to help you if mentally tough times hit,” says Chloë. “It’s like preparing for a marathon; you wouldn’t sit around all day, then drag yourself to the start line on the day, hoping for the best. You’d prepare with training because you know your body will be used to the feeling of running and can cope with the challenge.”

If you struggle to sleep, there’s evidence meditation may also be an effective insomnia treatment.