Meditation and your Emotional Well Being

by Oliver Dodd
(Newtown, UK)

It is said that people with emotional strength have better control over their feelings and behaviors. It is because of this that they are better able to tackle any challenge, leading to more productive and accomplishing lives. People that are happier and positive tend to be more successful, be more productive, and over all reach their goals faster.

There have been hundreds of studies done on meditation that proves that it has a slew of benefits like physical improvements for your body, mind, and your emotional well-being. Your body is a direct reflection of your mind; it can only achieve true calm if your mind is truly calm and meditation helps us achieve this.

According to an article in the Huffington Post, a study done by Dr. Ellisa Edel on meditation and its stress relieving benefits says that Psychological Well Being, which she dubs PWB, is composed of the follow:

Self-Acceptance: You are able to learn how to accept yourself a you are and accept others in the same way.

Self-Confidence: You have an outlook on life that can handle whatever comes your way, with strength and grace.

Independence: You don’t rely on anyone else in your life, providing you are healthy enough to take care of yourself

Personal Growth: You want to grow and expand your mind, maintaining a desire to learn new things and have new experiences.

Positive Relationships: Surround yourself with people who will love and support you and forsake those who don’t.

Purpose and Mission in Life: Continuing to have a reason to live, to live out your mission to give back to the world or taking care of your kids.


Although there is much skepticism surrounding the beneficial use of meditation to relieve anxiety and improve your well being, a recent study done by professors at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have show otherwise. It truly isn’t so mysterious after all.

“Neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex – brain waves in the stress-prone right frontal cortex move to the calmer left frontal cortex. This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety”

A form of meditation known as “mindfulness meditation” is said to be particularly effective against relieving anxiety and improving ones quality of life. Mindfulness is said to be “the ability to live in the present moment, without distraction, and it seems to provide a variety of health benefits” Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that is very popular in Southeast Asia, originating from an early form of Buddhist teachings that dates back over 2,500 years.

The trick lies in paying attention to your own present emotions, thoughts and body sensations like breathing, without passing judgment or reacting. You simply release your thoughts and let it all go. Mindfulness meditation is also said to be effective against a variety of chronic pains, skin diseases, health conditions that can be attributed to stress, and a list of other ailments. With a healthier lifestyle and more positive outlook on life you are increasing your own wellbeing, which in turn is said to help with almost any health condition like:

*ADHD
*Addictions
*Arthritis
*Asthma
*Blood Pressure
*Cancer
*Depression
*Energy
*General Health


Gauri Verma, MD, from the University of Bristol, U.K. says, “Evidence suggests meditation may alleviate psychological distress.

He added that, “There is significant potential to apply the principles of meditation to affective states, such as anxiety and depression,” she noted. “There is, however, little scientific evidence from population studies investigating benefits of any functional adaptation.”

Along with physiological and psychological benefits we should also recognize the spiritual benefits that are incurred from proper meditation. These benefits can include being able to develop intuition and eliminate restlessness and worry from your mind, develop a deep understanding and acceptance of yourself, build your self-confidence, learn to forgive which in turn will dismiss anger inflicted by others, and overall happiness.

Meditation doesn’t require special equipment, and truly isn’t that complicated to learn. It can be exercised virtually anywhere and isn’t time consuming whatsoever; 15-20 minutes per day is enough to get you into a good regiment. With so many benefits to be gained, the question to ask yourself is why you aren’t meditating yet!