5 minutes. We can all carve out 5 minutes. I love this meditation. I like his voice. It helps me to slow down. I feel a little calmer, a little more able to focus, and with a little more energy.
Benefits of meditation are well documented. Here are a few (Mayo Clinic):
- Offers fresh perspectives on stress triggers.
- Builds self-management skills.
- Increases self-awareness.
- Encourages present-moment focus.
- Reduces negative emotions.
- Boosts creativity.
- Improves patience.
- Lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure.
- Enhances sleep quality.
I encourage you to not get caught up in how long you are doing a meditation, but to zero in on how often. Consistency carries immense weight on changing our brains, creating new neural connections. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to form new neural pathways and connections throughout our life.
This process is especially active when we engage in consistent mental practices, such as meditation, learning new skills, or adopting healthier habits. Rather than being fixed, our neural circuits adapt in response to repeated experiences, allowing us to strengthen certain skills, recover from injury, and even reshape patterns of thinking and behavior.
Each time you repeat a positive action or focus your attention, you reinforce these connections, making it easier for your brain to access those pathways in the future. In this way, neuroplasticity empowers us to cultivate resilience, enhance well-being, and support lasting personal growth. One powerful way to do this is through meditation!