MEDITATION is an ancient tradition that has been scientifically studied and shown to have a big positive impact on our minds and bodies. It’s easy to learn, but needs regular practice. It’s worth trying – as once you’ve learnt it, you’ll truly have a skill for a happier life.

Recent research has shown that an 8 week mindfulness meditation class can lead to structural brain changes including increased grey-matter density in the hippocampus, known to be important for learning and memory, and in structures associated with self-awareness, compassion and introspection.

Scientific research has shown that meditation has many benefits for our well-being, including:

1) Increasing our ability to withstand stress
2) Making us feel more rested
3) Helping to relieve and reduce pain
4) Lowering our blood pressure
5) Increasing our immunity.
6) What’s more, regular practice over time can literally change the structure of our brains so that we are able to experience more positive emotion.

But that’s not all, there is evidence that meditation can also help improve: our ability to focus, our level of alertness, our memory, our academic performance and creativity.

Practicing meditation has been shown to help us get in touch with our feelings and over time it can increase how happy and optimistic we feel as well as our sense of spirituality. It can help us accept who we are and increase our sense of fulfilment. It can also help us build empathy and compassion and so help improve our relationships with other people.

So why don’t you have a go!

Nishall Garala