What is Meditation?
What is Meditation?
Meditation can be defined as a set of techniques intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. It may also be defined as a conscious-changing technique that has been shown to have a wide number of benefits on psychological well-being. There are many different types of meditation; mindfulness, focused, mantra and transcendental.
The Science Behind Meditation
Meditation stimulates activation in brain areas involved in processing self-relevant information, self-regulation, focused problem solving, adaptive behavior and interoception (an internal sense of balance in the body).
Research using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI), which studies activity in the brain, have shown increased activity during meditation in areas associated with attention, mind wandering, episodic memories and emotional processing. These areas of activity are specific to the following areas of the brain:
- Prefrontal cortex (attention and focus)
- Parietal areas (sensations & movement of the body)
- Middle cingulate cortex (cognitive control & decision making)
- Hippocampal (emotional memory recall & regulation) & Parahippocampal formations (high level visual processing)
Studies using FMRI post-meditation “sheds more light” on the possible connection between the neurofunctional changes and positive effects of meditation pertaining to different aspects of cognitive and emotional processes, social behavior and emotional regulation.
In short, studies surrounding various meditation techniques have shown consistent results in creating positive effects on the brain. Meditation is one of many popular mind and body practices amongst others like yoga, guided imagery and breathwork to improve health and well-being.
If you would like to know more about how to exercise different kinds of meditation, watch some of our videos. These practices will benefit you on your wellness journey.