Psych Central is a publication that aims to break the stigma of mental illness. It empowers readers to be proactive in their mental health journey, offering actionable advice to improve their lives.
Its team understands the healing power of connecting people and provides evidence-based information to meet the reader with empathy and respect. This is so important in mental health — an area where people often feel alone in their experiences.
Psych Central believes that the right mental health tools and support can allow anyone — regardless of their starting point — to deepen self-awareness and experience greater mental and emotional well-being. This is why I’m sharing 10 best Psych Central articles on meditation, along with my favorite quotes.
1.”10 Reasons Why You Need Mindfulness Meditation Daily”
Mindfulness meditation is the practice of focusing attention on your breathing, thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise. According to the APA, this meditation is used to become highly in tune with sensory information and to focus on each moment as it happens.
“Meditation is a cognitive technique that improves a person’s mind, body, and soul. Psychological aspects, like insight, attention, reflection, and self-regulation are deepened,” says Dr. Deborah Serani, professor at Adelphi University in New York.
“Meditation can also increase physical experiences, such as increase relaxation, fortify healing, recovery and a stronger immune response, as well as decrease pain, anxiety, stress, depression and blood pressure,” adds Serani. Practicing mindfulness meditation may help you reap the following health benefits.
Click here to read the article “10 Reasons Why You Need Mindfulness Meditation Daily.”
2.”Meditation for Depression: How It Works and Types to Try”
Although people have been practicing meditation for thousands of years, it has recently gained more mainstream popularity as a way to reduce symptoms of stress, enhance focus, and boost productivity, among other benefits.
Some people have also turned to meditation for managing mental health conditions — such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and depression — with the aim of “retraining” the mind and subduing unhelpful thoughts and difficult emotions.
Because meditation is something anyone can do, anywhere and at any time, it certainly seems worth considering. But can it really have an impact on depression?
Click here to read the article “Meditation for Depression: How It Works and Types to Try.”
3.”10 Benefits of Meditation”
While it has its roots in Eastern spiritual traditions, meditation has now made its way fully into mainstream psychology.
There are so many different types of meditation, but they all require you to use specific techniques to train your mind, increase focus, and reach a calm state of mind.
Meditation doesn’t just improve your spiritual health. Research shows that it has extensive benefits for both the mind and the body.
Click here to read the article “10 Benefits of Meditation.”
4.”Meditation for Anxiety Symptoms: Does It Work?”
For some, the idea of practicing meditation while living with anxiety symptoms is difficult to imagine.
You may find it hard to sit quietly or follow instructions, so you’ve been hesitant to try it. If this describes you, know that meditation has helped many people manage their anxiety symptoms. Now may be the time to see whether it could work for you, too.
Click here to read the article “Meditation for Anxiety Symptoms: Does It Work?“
5.”Meditation Retreats: Benefits, Cost, and How to Prepare”
Whether you’re brand new to meditation or interested in enhancing your practice, you may wish to consider a meditation retreat. Before you book a retreat, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with what to expect so you can make the most of your experience.
Click here to read the article “Meditation Retreats: Benefits, Cost, and How to Prepare.”
6.”Running Meditation: How Do You Meditate While Running?”
Just like it sounds, running meditation is when you combine a meditation practice with running. You might think meditation is just about sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed while remaining quiet.
In fact, meditation can be about this and is often practiced in a quiet place without distractions. But you can also practice moving meditation, and running can give you that opportunity.
The rhythmic nature of running may allow you to quiet your mind and fully connect to the present while leaving your worries behind.
Click here to read the article “Running Meditation: How Do You Meditate While Running?“
7.”Meditation for Pain Relief: How it Works and 3 Types to Try”
Along with improving mental health, meditation may also support physical health. If you’re experiencing chronic pain and looking for natural relief, research suggests meditation can help. And if you’re looking to add meditation to your self-care routine, there are several you can get started with this mindfulness practice.
Click here to read the article “Meditation for Pain Relief: How it Works and 3 Types to Try.”
8.”Meditation Can Change the Brain”
Ruminating on all the things you need to do or should have done can hinder your performance at work, school, and at home.
Meditating for a few minutes might help rein in those wandering thoughts and help you stay focused throughout the day.
But meditating can have an even bigger impact. Some studies show that it affects the brain in various ways, from changing the brain’s volume to decreasing activity in the parts of the brain responsible for stress.
Click here to read the article “Meditation Can Change the Brain I Psych Central.”
9.”Guided Sleep Meditation: Is It Effective? How it Works”
Adopting healthy bedtime rituals is important to getting enough shut-eye. The goal of any nighttime ritual is to find ways to unwind and prepare your body for sleep. It’s not always easy to fall (and stay) asleep.
If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, you’re not alone. While we may know having good sleeping habits is important, many of us may push sleep down on our priority list.
Whether it’s trying to meet a deadline, staying up late to finish watching a show, or scrolling on social media, there are many reasons why we may not be getting restful sleep.
A helpful sleep routine can include light stretching, journaling, deep breathing, and guided sleep meditation.
Click here to read the article “Guided Sleep Meditation: Is It Effective? How it Works.”
10.”The 6 Best Meditation Apps in 2022″
a regular meditation practice can seem somewhat daunting when you’re just starting out. It takes time to get the hang of any new skill, and meditation is no exception.
You might wonder where you’ll find the time or if you’re even doing it right. That’s where meditation apps come in.
Whether you want to learn more about deep breathing to relieve stress or get more comfortable tolerating unwanted emotions, an app can guide you through your first steps and help you make meditation a regular habit.
Click here to read the article “The 6 Best Meditation Apps in 2022.”
Complement this list of best meditation articles from Psych Central with Buddhist Meditation: Tranquility, Imagination, and Insight by Kamalashila and then revisit Psych Central artciles on mindfulness and why you should read Mindful America by Jeff Wilson.
I’m a freelance writer and mindfulness advocate behind this blog. What you see here is the combination of my three favorite things: reading, writing, and mindfulness. While you’re here, subscribe to my blog updates and gain access to free mindfulness resources for stress relief.
