Thriving In Midlife: Living Beyond Mediocre

Meditate to Save Your Brain

November 17, 2021 Cheryl Beck Esch Season 2 Episode 18
Meditate to Save Your Brain
Thriving In Midlife: Living Beyond Mediocre
More Info
Thriving In Midlife: Living Beyond Mediocre
Meditate to Save Your Brain
Nov 17, 2021 Season 2 Episode 18
Cheryl Beck Esch

For years I resisted the idea of meditating due to my past experience and faith belief. Yet after discovering the health benefits and that meditation is actually a Biblical principle, I began my journey of learning about the practice. Now I meditate most mornings for about 15 minutes.

Benefits of Meditation:

·      Reduces anxiety and stress

·      Lowers blood pressure and heart rate

·      Improves blood circulation

·      Lowers blood cortisol levels

·      Improves general mental health and better focus

Brain Science/Neuroplasticity and Meditation:

·      Meditation helps to thicken the pre-frontal cortex- this is where higher order brain function happens like increased concentration, awareness and decision-making

·      A Harvard study found regular meditation in 40–50-year-olds showed the same gray matter in the brain as 20–30-year-olds

·      In Alzheimer patients there is significant lack of gray matter in their brains

·      Meditation helps to release key neurotransmitters that help regulate vital hormone balance.

To BEGIN:

1)    Find a comfortable spot to do your meditation in, void of external distractions

2)    Find a time of day that works best for you

3)    Begin with breathing techniques (Box breathing, deep breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, etc)

4)    Start with 2 minutes and build up to longer as you are able

5)    Add visualization, music or use a meditation app to assist in your practice

6)    Be consistent

 

In general, one must find what techniques work best for them in discovering and maintaining a meditation practice.


Contact me through Instagram @thrivinginmidlife or my new website- www.cherylbeckesch.com

Show Notes

For years I resisted the idea of meditating due to my past experience and faith belief. Yet after discovering the health benefits and that meditation is actually a Biblical principle, I began my journey of learning about the practice. Now I meditate most mornings for about 15 minutes.

Benefits of Meditation:

·      Reduces anxiety and stress

·      Lowers blood pressure and heart rate

·      Improves blood circulation

·      Lowers blood cortisol levels

·      Improves general mental health and better focus

Brain Science/Neuroplasticity and Meditation:

·      Meditation helps to thicken the pre-frontal cortex- this is where higher order brain function happens like increased concentration, awareness and decision-making

·      A Harvard study found regular meditation in 40–50-year-olds showed the same gray matter in the brain as 20–30-year-olds

·      In Alzheimer patients there is significant lack of gray matter in their brains

·      Meditation helps to release key neurotransmitters that help regulate vital hormone balance.

To BEGIN:

1)    Find a comfortable spot to do your meditation in, void of external distractions

2)    Find a time of day that works best for you

3)    Begin with breathing techniques (Box breathing, deep breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, etc)

4)    Start with 2 minutes and build up to longer as you are able

5)    Add visualization, music or use a meditation app to assist in your practice

6)    Be consistent

 

In general, one must find what techniques work best for them in discovering and maintaining a meditation practice.


Contact me through Instagram @thrivinginmidlife or my new website- www.cherylbeckesch.com