Meditation helps weight loss
Scientific research has shown that meditation increases the brain’s gray matter. Our muscles grow when stimulated by increasing load. Similarly, the brain too can be given a workout. Meditation is such an exercise for the brain. It increases brain gray matter thus increasing the brain size.
So what has this to do with fitness and weight loss? Well actually quite a lot. Meditation helps in giving more control over one’s emotions. Emotional control helps tremendously when someone is trying to resist a piece of chocolate cake. Here are some details as to how meditation positively effects the brain and weight loss efforts:
1. Increased Brain Volume
People who meditate showed significantly larger volumes of the hippocampus and areas within the orbito-frontal cortex, the thalamus and the inferior temporal gyrus. All these regions are known for regulating emotions. People who consistently meditate have a singular ability to cultivate positive emotions and retain emotional stability. These people also engage in mindful behavior or conscious living. Because of these positive transformation within the brain, there is better compliance to a weight loss program. Emotions play a major role when staying on a weight loss initiative. Eating a huge piece of chocolate cake is a completely irrational and emotional decision.
2. Reduced Stress Levels
In addition to having better focus and control over their emotions, many people who meditate regularly have reduced levels of stress and a bolstered immune systems. Prolonged stress levels have been linked to contributing to weight challenges among individuals.
3. Increased Clarity of Thought
Meditation also increases clarity of thought and tolerance for staying focused in difficult situations. This is another benefit when embarking on a weight loss program. This was feedback from researcher Sara Lazar, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School who was the author of a study on how Meditation Increases Brain Size. The increased clarity of thought allows someone on a weight loss program to be more rational and less emotional. One can always be aware of actions and consequences. With increased control over emotions and increased awareness of consequences, once can make better decisions.
There are also indications that meditation may help slow some aspects of cognitive aging. So engaging is meditation not only helps improve the chances of success in complying to a weight loss program with physical health benefits, it may even provide some brain anti aging effects.
We have all seen a lot of people who are in shape without meditation. This is because they have cultivated the right habits and mind set through self discipline to achieve and maintain their physique.
However we also know that each one of us is unique in our own way which is what makes life interesting. Some are naturally good at math, some are naturally good at art, some are naturally good at music and some are naturally good at self discipline.
We also know that with “correct training” almost everyone can learn to be reasonably good at math, art and music. So is the case with self-disciple. But the key is what constitutes “correct training” for self discipline. Like any “correct training” it may compose of many components but meditation may just be an important component in developing self discipline among those who may not be naturally good at self discipline.
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