By Josephine Agbonkhese

Ask a group of people why they meditate and you’ll get a list of replies as varied as the people you’re asking.

In recent decades, researchers have been gaining insight into the benefits of practicing this ancient tradition called meditation— known as an approach to training the mind, similar to the way fitness trains the body.
Meditation has proven to affect many aspects of man’s psychological well-being and here, we highlight some of its many benefits.

Decreased cognitive decline
People tend to lose some of their cognitive flexibility and short-term memory as they age. But meditation may be able to slow cognitive decline, even in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Reduced cell aging
Cell aging occurs naturally as cells repeatedly divide over the lifespan and can also be increased by disease or stress. Experts say proteins called telomeres, which are found at the end of chromosomes and serve to protect them from aging, seem to be impacted by meditation.

Reduced stress and psychological pain
Meditation practices have been shown to decrease the production of stress hormones like cortisol, leading to a sense of calm and relaxation. Research suggests that it can help healthy people cope with pain, anxiety and depression too.

Improved sleep
Regular meditation can help improve sleep quality, duration, and depth, leading to better rest and relaxation.
Enhanced calm, focus
Meditation trains the mind to stay present and focused, leading to a sense of calm and clarity.

MEDITATION TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
*Sit or lie comfortably.
*Close your eyes.
*Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally.
*Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice the movement of your body as you breathe. Observe your chest, shoulders, rib cage, and belly. Simply focus your attention on your breath without controlling its pace or intensity. If your mind wanders, return your focus back to your breath.
*Maintain this practice for two to three minutes to start, and then try it for longer periods.