Modern times of technological advancements have their own set of challenges. Even young kids are not spared of these drastic changes that sometimes are manifested in a not-so-good sense. As per NIH, suicide rates have greatly increased among youth and this group is now at the highest risk in one-third of the developed and developing nations. Surely, this is a matter of great concern. This clearly states the level of stress that young people are exposed to. Can something be done about this? To believe ancient science and recent research, a simple yet effective technique that can help youth regain their self can be achieved through meditation. Meditation is an ancient practice that originated in India during Vedic times. It has been widely hailed for the positive impact it has on a human's mind and brain. Let us see the benefits of meditation for students.
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What is Meditation?
Deeply rooted in Vedic traditions, meditation is a practice that helps calm the mind, improve focus, and promote overall well-being.
As per the available historical records meditation was practiced as early as 3000 BCE, with its mention in Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and later in Buddhist and Taoist traditions around 600-500 BCE.
The term "meditates" emerged from the Latin word "meditatum" which means "to ponder" in the 12th century.
Meditation is now famed as a widely recognized practice across the world.
Meditation uses different techniques for increasing the focus or calming the mind such as deep breathing, chanting a mantra, or being mindful of the present moment.
Types of Meditation
There are a variety of meditations that give clarity of thoughts, relief from stress, emotional balance, calmer mind.
Each type of meditation has its own set of benefits.
1.) Metta Meditation or Loving-Kindness Meditation - This type of meditation aims to develop love, compassion, and kindness towards oneself and others.
2.) Mindfulness Meditation - Promotes the awareness of being in the present moment, without judgment. It involves using breath or sensory observations.
3.) Transcendental Meditation - Involves practicing chanting mantras repeatedly in a silent environment to reach a state of higher consciousness or calmness.
4.) Guided Meditation - This is ideal for beginners where a teacher or a pre-recorded voice directs the session.
5.) Mantra-Based Meditation - This type of meditation involves increasing focus and reducing distractions through continuous repetition of a word or phrase (mantras).
6.) Progressive Muscle Relaxation - It focuses on systematically relaxing different muscle groups to relieve tension.
7.) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - It is developed to help with chronic pain and stress through mindfulness techniques.
Also Read - Somatic Yoga Benefits: A Deep Awareness of Body & Mind
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Benefits of Meditation for Students
Today's time is of fierce competition and it takes its toll on students.
Students are burdened with academic pressures, extracurricular commitments, parental expectations, and other social obligations.
The cumulative stress hurts their mental and physical health causing anxiety, lack of focus, and declining performance.
Amid all the challenges, meditation is a simple yet powerful practice to promote the holistic growth of students.
Below, we explore numerous benefits of meditation for students, supported by research and practical observations.
1.) Reduces Stress
Stress among students is a reality in today's crushing and demanding schedules.
By promoting deep relaxation, meditation provides an effective way to reduce stress.
SAMYAMA, a research project, has demonstrated that consistent practice of meditation can significantly reduce the levels of stress and anxiety.
Students who participated in the research were made to meditate regularly.
They reported feeling much calmer and in better control of their emotions, even during high-pressure times like final examinations.
2.) Improved Concentration and Focus
One of the biggest advantages of meditation is to increase focus, concentration, and attention span.
Practicing meditation regularly enables students to quieten the inner noise and eliminate distractions.
This helps them to engage more deeply with their studies or other activities.
The increased focus helps to absorb the information more effectively and makes a student more productive.
As per research, mindfulness, and transcendental meditation have been particularly effective in boosting attention and task-oriented behavior.
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3.) Benefits of Meditation for Students in Academics
Meditation is directly beneficial in academics as it helps to improve cognitive functions such as memory retention and recall.
Research has found that those students who incorporated meditation into their daily routine achieved better grades with less stress.
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Meditation gives better mental clarity and emotional stability which helps students deal academic challenges more effectively.
4.) Improves Mental Health
Meditation can lessen the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and negative thinking patterns.
This contributes to better mental health.
One of the rising concerns of modern times is the increase in self-harming practices among youth.
Regular meditation fosters the feeling of self-confidence by providing emotional steadiness.
By increasing positivity, emotional intelligence, and empathy among students, meditation also helps improve interpersonal relationships.
5.) Benefits of Meditation for Students in Self Awareness
Developing a good understanding of self is necessary to avoid making wrong decisions.
Meditation helps students get a deep understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and goals.
This can help students make rational decisions, and better align their goals with aspirations.
This is crucial to succeed on a personal and professional level.
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6.) Better Quality of Sleep
Sleep-related issues are common disorders of modern times.
Quality sleep is crucial for the cognitive functioning and overall well-being of students.
It is advised that students practice meditation before bedtime to de-stress themselves and get a relaxed sleep.
As per research regular meditation can reduce insomnia and help students wake up rejuvenated.
7.) Reduced Bad Habits and Addictions
Meditation can help students gain control over their impulses by providing them with emotional stability.
This can help make students more disciplined and overcome harmful habits like procrastination, substance abuse, or excessive use of social media.
Meditation encourages healthy lifestyle habits among students.
8.) Benefits of Meditation for Students’ Cognition
Research has proved that meditation can enhance cognitive functions such as memory retention and problem-solving skills.
By reducing mental chaos, and increasing inner peace and levelheadedness, meditation helps students to absorb, retain, recall, and process the information more effectively.
Improvement in the cognitive abilities of students is important in achieving success in their academic and professional fields.
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9.) Increased Self-Confidence
Meditation is helpful for students as it can make them confident in themselves by being more emotionally stable and getting inner strength.
Students practicing meditation regularly are more equipped to handle stress, criticism, and setbacks.
Meditation is also seen to enhance public speaking and presentation skills in students by reducing performance anxiety.
10.) Long-Term Benefits of Meditation for Students
The disciplined and regular practice of meditation has long-lasting benefits.
It equips students with lifelong coping mechanisms for managing stress and maintaining mental health.
Institutions like the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy have successfully implemented mindfulness programs, demonstrating the lasting positive impact of such initiatives.
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Takeaway Message
Meditation or mindfulness can be a shining armor for students in an environment of excessive stress and cutthroat competition.
The benefits of meditation for students range from reducing stress, invigorating them, improving focus and concentration, and fostering emotional well-being.
These tools can help students to excel in their academics and thrive personally.
Educational institutes must include meditation as a part of their curriculum, to cultivate mindfulness and resilience among students.
Students must incorporate a daily routine of 15-20 minutes of meditation.
This will help them keep themselves calm, better tackle stressful situations, and unlock their full potential.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer’s opinions and should not be considered a substitute for an expert’s advice.
Readings & References
· https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6630857/
· https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2024/2/15225.pdf
· https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3554961/#:~:text=%5B1%5D%20The%20rates%20of%20suicide%20have%20greatly%20increased%20among%20youth,the%20developed%20and%20developing%20countries.
· https://healthynutritionforyou.com/ayurvedic-herbs-for-brain/
· https://healthynutritionforyou.com/ginger-and-bay-leaf-tea-benefits/
· https://healthynutritionforyou.com/punarnava-benefits-for-liver/
· https://healthynutritionforyou.com/wellhealth-ayurvedic-health-tips/
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