Meditation Improves Blood Flow to the Brain – Care2.com
Posted: February 10, 2017 at 11:42 pm
When we think of brain health, few of us consider meditation, yet meditation can be surprisingly effective to boost brain health. Thats because this simple act is effective for reducing stress and the resulting stress hormones that can have a negative impact on your brain.
Research published in the journal Psychiatry Research found that meditation improves blood flow to the brain and that these changes last long after the meditation is over. Scientists at the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center at UCLA studied the effects of meditation on the stress circuits of the brain. Ten experienced meditators performed two types of meditation: a focus-based meditative technique and a breath-based practice. The meditators brains were scanned using MRI technology before starting, during the meditation practices and following meditation.
Researchers found that four regions of the brain were affected during meditation and that the two types of meditation states cause different patterns of blood flow to the brain; however, both techniques improved blood flow to the brain. Some of the brain changes continued even after meditation stopped.
While research in this area is still in its infancy, the positive impact of meditation on blood flow to the brain may have applications in treating brain disorders or stroke and in keeping your brain healthy for the long-term.
Related: 8 Ways Meditation Can Change Your Life
Meditation has also been linked to mood improvements, pain threshold increases, increases in immune system activity and improved bronchial and arterial muscle tone. Other research at the University of Wisconsins Center for Healthy Minds found that meditation can improve attention in children. While the studies show a wide variety of health improvements linked to meditation, they consistently show a reduction in stress hormones and a reversal in the effects of chronic stress.
While many people associate meditation with religion, its actually a simple technique that transcends religious beliefs. It is a mental vacation from the stresses of daily life whereby you center your mind and create a sense of peacefulness. The rewards are worth the minimal effort
Meditation is easy to learn, requires no expensive equipment and can be done almost anywhere. All you need is commitment and a small amount of time. While participants in the study practiced for one hour a day, even a few minutes daily will be helpful.
There are many different types of meditation. Dont get bogged down in finding the ideal one for you; that sort of quest is often just an excuse for procrastinating anyway. There are a million or more reason for not meditating, starting with I dont have time or Im too tired, but they are all simply excuses for not making your health a priority. No one has the time. How you spend your time is up to you.
Here is a simple, yet effective, meditation exercise. You can play peaceful background music while performing this meditation or you can have silencewhichever you prefer.
1. Sit in a comfortable position where you will not be disturbed. Close your eyes. Keep your head upright and shoulders relaxed.
2. Begin by breathing deeply and steadily. Do not force your breathing. Simply breathe as deeply as you comfortably can. Observe your breath.
3. Begin to allow your breath to expand your abdomen. Comfortably expand your abdomen with each inhalation, and then release your abdomen with every exhalation.
4. Continue breathing deeply for at least 10 minutes. The longer you can meditate, the better.
Meditation gets easier with practice. Take some time each day to meditate and your brain and your body will thank you.
Related:Dont Believe in Herbal Medicine? 10 Things to Change Your MindThe 5 Best Herbs to Soothe Your NervesShould You Actually Starve a Fever?
Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is the publisher of the free e-newsletter Worlds Healthiest News, president of PureFood BC, and an international best-selling and 20-time published book author whose works include: Boost Your Brain Power in 60 Seconds: The 4-Week Plan for a Sharper Mind, Better Memory, and Healthier Brain.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
The rest is here:
Meditation Improves Blood Flow to the Brain - Care2.com
- ChangeYourEnergy.com Inspires Deep Relaxation and Empowerment through Nature Meditation [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- MONTGOMERY: Garden available to the public [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- How to calm your brain and find peace during a busy day [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Some patients turn to meditation when medication fails [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Flowing on the River of Peace Meditation [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Meditation Techniques For People Who Hate Meditation [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Learning Meditation at LearningMeditation.com [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- How to Meditate - Guided Meditation Techniques - Buddhist ... [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Meditation: Take a stress-reduction break wherever you are ... [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Meditation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Guided Meditation for Sleep - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Psalm 19 - May the Words of my Mouth, the Meditation of my Heart, Be Acceptable To You - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Practical Two Stage SIGFA Healing Meditation (Withdrawal and Initiation process) - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Yoga For Stress Relief : Meditation Techniques & Benefits | The World Of Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Deepak Chopra Meditation-Course4 The Mind Body Connection-Timeless You Series with Bonus - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Meditation by Thais, "Kaunis String Quartet" - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- 5 Minute Quick Break Meditation: A Heart Chakra, Guided Spoken Visualization - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- 9/29/14 Meditation Class - Ways to increase presence - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- 17 Seconds to Freedom Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Dynamic Manifestation Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Day 30 - Warrior Meditation - Beautiful By Nadia 40 Days and 40 Nights Spiritual Detox Challenge - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- 8 Hour Deep Sleep: Music Sleep Relax, Sleep Relaxation, Meditation Sleep, Sleep Song 422 - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- A mini meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Guild Wars 2: Meditation Guardian Vs. Power Ranger #1 HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- The Secret Of Meditation Revealed - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Conversation 46 The Meditation Hall - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Omindfulness.com guided meditation / aloneness vs connection - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Deepak Chopra Meditation-Reversing Your Age-Timeless You 6 Course Series with Bonus - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Bright Path Ishayas Ascension meditation - Freedom From Suffering - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Change your life with Deep Meditation: Binaural beats - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Reconnect with your divine source with Sonia Choquette - Monday Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Dzogchen Meditation Community Learning Center Lesson 2: the Mind and the Time-Machine - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Welcome to Basara (Guided Meditation) - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- September 28, 2014 - 11:11 celebration meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Sun Sept 28, 2014 "Affirmation, Mantra & Meditation" with Dr. Edward Viljoen - 2nd service - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Day 27 - Meditation spot - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Become Bruce Lee | Subliminal Meditation | Binaural Beats - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Can a Mind-Reading Headset Teach You To Deal With Stress? [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Walking Meditation ( VSV Samaneras) - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Meditation at the Shore - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Guild Wars 2: Meditation Guardian Vs. Shatter Burst Mesmer #3 HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Morning meditation walking - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Meditation Techniques for Beginners - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Buddha & Yeshua: Meaning of Life in Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Buddha: Meaning of Life in Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- ASMR Resort Visualization for Sleep - Soft Spoken Female Voice - Relaxation Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- The Alchemist's Meditation for Manifestation - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- CAMBODIA MEDITATION PREAS THOR 24 - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- CAMBODIA MEDITATION PREAS THOR 23 - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- KRI - Message & Meditation of the Month from Nirvair October 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Meditation by sis Vero - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Gift of Healing TV ~ Vibration Raising Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Short Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Guided Meditation To Heal Hidden Agreements, Entanglements, Family Secrets, And Non Beneficial Loy - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Lindsay Lohan needs meditation [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Recorded Online Guided Meditation by Rajee :: Saturday 4th October 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- 30 Day Meditation Oasis - Explanation Part Two video - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- A New Day with Ronnie Bassem in the Name of Meditation Music - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- First Contact Radio 10/3/14 - Esoteric Science, UFOs, Jesus - Lost Sheep Parables, Daily Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Gong Musik Meditation Entspannung - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Waking Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Meditation, prayer or Karma, what do you believe in? - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- KRISHNAGIRI- SPIRITUAL AND ALPHA STATE / SCIENTIFIC MEDITATION- DIFFERENCES - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Dzogchen Meditation Community Learning Center Lesson 4: Exploring Spiritual Experience - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Daily Meditation - You Are Exactly Who You Want to Be - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- What are the Benefits of Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- New Research Shows Yoga and Meditation Boost Brain Power [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- 8 Hour Meditation Sleep Music: Deep Sleep Music, Meditation For Sleep, Calming Music 426 - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Ocean Waves Sounds for Meditation and Relaxation - 30 minutes - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Osho dinamic active meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Full Hunter's Moon Meditation Based on Third Chakra of Power - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- TOP OF CHART - Best Meditation Song - HUM Udd Ke Chale Jayein - With SubTitles - BK Meditation. - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Spirit Guide Meditation by Teal Swan - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- RELAXING INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC -- MOUNTAIN RIVER -- SLEEP, MEDITATION, STUDY, SPA - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- YOGA MEDITATION - Guided Meditation Music - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Guild Wars 2: Meditation Guardian Solo tPvP #12 HD - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Lam Rim Guided Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Zen Music ~ Native American Flute + Ocean Waves = Relaxation / Meditation - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- Lindsay Lohan: 'Meditation has changed my life' [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2014]
- Dzogchen Meditation Community Learning Center Lesson 3: Death in a Flash (Existential Physics) - Video [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2014]