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World Meditation Day 2024 is celebrated to prioritise mental and physical health.
World Meditation Day 2024: Regular meditation can help you focus better. (Image: Shutterstock)
World Meditation Day provides a break from the hectic pace of life each year. Celebrated on December 21, this day serves as a worldwide reminder of the value of mental clarity, inner serenity, and mindfulness. The age-old practice of meditation has become essential for preserving both physical and mental health. Meditation has been practised for thousands of years and has roots in religious, yogic, and secular traditions from many countries. Beyond its spiritual beginnings, it is now widely accepted as a tool for mental health and personal well-being.
World Meditation Day 2024: History
The General Assembly declared December 21 to be World Meditation Day to increase awareness of meditation and its advantages while remembering that everyone has the right to the best possible level of physical and mental wealth.
The General Assembly also recognised the connection between yoga and meditation as complementary methods of improving health and well-being.
World Meditation Day 2024: Significance
Meditation is a powerful tool for promoting compassion, peace and unity. World Meditation Day serves as a reminder to tackle the various global challenges and strive for harmony within ourselves and our communities.
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By practicing meditation to nurture inner peace, we can collectively contribute to creating a more resilient and sustainable world for present and future generations.
World Meditation Day 2024: 10 Health Benefits
- Stress reduction: Meditation is effective in reducing stress and can alleviate symptoms of stress-related illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Better memory: Regular meditation can improve focus, which in turn may improve memory and mental clarity. These benefits can be helpful in combating dementia and age-related memory decline.
- Increased attention: Meditation improves attention span, allowing you to concentrate for extended periods.
- Increased willpower: Meditation ensures the mental self-control necessary to avoid harmful behaviours.
- Improved sleep: Meditation can improve the quality of sleep and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.
- Reduced discomfort: Meditation helps with emotional regulation and pain management. This can help in the treatment of chronic pain when used alongside medical care.
- Reduced blood pressure: Those who meditate regularly experience lower blood pressure both during and after meditation. This can help reduce strain on the heart and blood vessels, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease.
- Reduced anxiety: Regular meditation helps decrease anxiety and can assist with mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive behaviours, social anxiety and general anxiety.
- Decreased depression: Meditation has been shown to lower the incidence of depression.
- Increased compassion: Meditation helps you discover your best self, leading to a deeper understanding of your own self and encouraging kindness towards others.
World Meditation Day 2024: How to meditate
- Find a peaceful and quiet area and either sit or stand comfortably.
- Close your eyes or gaze downward.
- Set a time limit, especially if you’re new to meditation.
- Start with five to 10 minutes.
- Become aware of your body. Ensure that you remain steady and comfortable throughout the meditation process.
- Focus on your breathing in two ways.
- First, observe the expansion and contraction of your torso.
- Alternatively, focus on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your nostrils.
- Once your breath is steady, begin observing thoughts, feelings, sensations and sounds as they come and go in your mind.
- Notice when your thoughts wander. When this happens, don’t be harsh on yourself. Instead, gently acknowledge where your mind has gone and return your focus to your breathing.
World Meditation Day 2024 is celebrated to prioritise mental and physical health. We can integrate meditation into our daily lives by understanding its roots, recognising its importance and embracing its health benefits.
