Meditation benefits are numerous, but what are the ones that really help us feel great mentally, emotionally and physically? These ten benefits of meditation top the list for mental, emotional and physical well-being.

TOP BENEFIT #1: STRESS RELIEF BY LOWERING "STRESS" CHEMICAL

One of the best meditation benefits is reducing the well-known stress hormone Cortisol. In fact, Cortisol does significant damage to our bodies. With today's fast-paced society, it is common for many people to have too much cortisol surging through their bodies. High levels of cortisol have been found to increase heart attacks, increase undesirable cholesterol, lower bone density, increase blood pressure, cause hyperglycemia, suppress healthy thyroid and lower immunity all around. Regular meditation significantly lowers cortisol levels and thus reduces the risk for these diseases.

TOP BENEFIT #2: ELIMINATES ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Regular meditation increases levels of the neurotransmitters SEROTONIN and GABA which are mood stabilizers. Lowered levels of GABA have been associated with increased anxiety, tension and insomnia. Lowered levels of Serotonin are associated with depression. Increasing serotonin levels is one of the most significant meditation benefits in my opinion since so many people today use anti-depressants to influence Serotonin levels.

TOP BENEFIT #3: IMPROVED AND LASTING SENSE OF WELL-BEING

One way to get a "natural high" is to increase the endorphins in the body. Many people have experienced this "high" from exercise. Meditation also increases endorphin levels in the body.

TOP BENEFIT #4: QUIETS MIND CHATTER

When the brain enters a meditative state, one of the benefits of meditation is that the brain has actually "shifted gears" from a "busy mind of Beta frequency" down to a relaxed, calm state of Alpha, Theta or for deep meditation, Delta. Our bodies automatically respond to each brainwave frequency (of Beta, Alpha, Theta or Delta) and become nervous or anxious (in Beta) or calm and relaxed (in Alpha.) Easy meditation techniques such as brainwave meditation automatically put the brain into different states, thus directing the body to respond accordingly and produce appropriate chemicals.

TOP BENEFIT #5: INCREASED EMOTIONAL MATURITY

Regular mediation not only quiets the mind and body, but also gives rise to increased self-awareness. This gives many people the opportunity to see themselves more objectively and to effectively make change.

TOP BENEFIT #6: SPIRITUAL INSIGHT

Another one of the emotional meditation benefits is that regular meditation puts many people in touch with a "higher power." This increases intuition, creativity, purpose, and can change the perspective from viewing something as a "problem" to instead viewing it as an opportunity for spiritual and emotional growth. These higher emotional states are a natural progression because the mind and body are kept more balanced through the other physical and mental meditation benefits discussed herein.

TOP BENEFIT #7: FEEL MORE EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED TO SELF AND OTHERS

Can meditation actually improve relationships? Yes, because when the mind and body's chemicals are working well through regular meditation, many people find the composure, patience and inner peace to handle their relationships and other facets of their lives better. A better connection with self is established and with this connection, there is an open doorway for better emotional connections with others.

TOP BENEFIT #8: ANTI-AGING BY BOOSTING "YOUTHFUL" CHEMICALS

Can one of the meditation benefits be that meditation actually keeps us young? Yes, because meditation has been found to improve chemicals such as DHEA, human growth hormone and melatonin, all of which help our bodies fight aging.

TOP BENEFIT #9: INCREASED IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTIONING

When discussing meditation benefits, it becomes apparent that meditation has significant impact on how well the immune system functions as we have already seen by the decrease of cortisol and the increase of "healthy" chemicals such as DHEA, human growth hormone and melatonin. But another way the immune system regenerates itself is when we sleep and people who meditate sleep better. Deeper sleep increases renewal, rejuvenation and increased immune system functioning.

TOP BENEFIT #10: SLEEP REPLACEMENT

One of the truly best meditation benefits if you use an appropriately engineered brainwave meditation mp3, is that your brain can be put into a brain frequency that actually replaces sleep. For example, 2-3 hours of sleep can be replaced when your brain is put into a certain "meditation frequency" for 30 minutes.

SUMMARY

When starting out, many people want easy meditation techniques. Some types of meditation that are good for beginners are brainwave meditations, breathing meditations or hypnotic meditations. Using a meditation audio that puts you into the meditative state is a very easy way to obtain some of the meditation benefits discussed in this article.