Mental health benefits of regular meditation

The benefits of regular meditation are extensive and backed up by science and also proven by numerous studies.

These can include decreased stress, improved concentration, lower blood pressure, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, just to name a few.

And while there are different types of meditation, they can all offer a similar set of proven benefits for mental and physical health.

A 2011 study from the Harvard Medical School examined the effects of mindfulness meditation on the brain and found a connection between mindfulness and processing new information. The researchers examined the brains of 17 people before and after participating in an eight-week meditation program. Brain scans showed an increase in gray matter in the parts of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and emotional regulation.

Regular meditation prepares you for your HYPNOTHERAPY SESSIONS, as with practice you will find it much easier to relax your body and mind and slow down the cycle of your brainwaves.

ALPHA WAVES (9-14 cycles per second): state of light hypnosis/ guided meditation - associated with creativity and productive problem solving

THETA WAVES (4-8 cycles of brainwaves per second): state of serene calmness, dreaming, medium to deep hypnosis, characterised by feeling emotional surges. Theta waves are associated with our subconscious mind where we hold all our past experiences (because of this, suppressed memories sometimes come to the surface).

DELTA WAVES (1-4 cycles per second): slowest deepest state of rest, there are no other waves active in this state. A state of detached awareness and sleep, very deep hypnosis.

The waves never go down to zero during hypnosis as that would be the state of being braindead.

Meditation, just like any other practice is a learnt skill so do not be put off if you can’t “empty your mind”, reach “a state of zen” or if you catch your thoughts wandering. Eventually and over time, more and more you'll find yourself in a peaceful, contented space of just being.