Meditation and mindfulness have become the need of the hour because of our busy lifestyles. People have become more and more invested in the hustle bustle of life and are often oblivious of their health issues. Thus, it is essential for people to spend time focusing on their health. However, sole focus on physical health is not enough; mental health should also be prioritised. Paying attention to mental health and wellbeing, starts from identifying underlying reasons of poor mental health. Next, people should engage in mindfulness techniques to heal these underlying issues. Here are some of the types of meditation techniques you can do to achieve better mental health: 

• Mindfulness Meditation: This technique originates from Buddhist teachings and involves being present in the moment. Moreover, it focuses on bringing your attention back to the present moment when your mind wanders.  

• Transcendental Meditation: Developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Transcendental technique involves repeating a mantra to settle the mind. This repeated mantra is set to instil a state of restful alertness.  

• Guided Meditation: This type requires a guide or teacher to walk you through your meditation session. This step-by-step guidance allow you to walk smoothly through the meditation process. 

• Metta: Also called Loving-Kindness Meditation, Metta practice focuses on positive affirmations. These affirmations cultivate a sense of love and compassion for yourself and others. 

• Body Focus/Scan Meditation: This form of mindfulness involves paying attention to the different parts of the body and focusing your thoughts to understanding the sensations behind the different body parts. 

• Zazen: Also known as Zen Meditation, this technique focuses on the Zen Buddhist tradition of meditative thoughts. The technique involves sitting in a specific posture, such as the lotus position, and focusing on your breath while observing thoughts without attachment. 

Benefits of Meditation:  

Meditation has several benefits on the human body. Be it mental peace, physical wellness, or spiritual awakening, meditative thoughts and mindfulness can allow people to transcend from the general plane to a higher form of living. The following are some of the benefits of meditation: 

• Mental Health Benefits: This practice has immense role to play in mental health and wellness. Mindfulness is seen to reduce stress, improve anxiety management, enhance focus and instil a sense of balance, and promote emotional wellbeing.  

• Physical Health Benefits: When it comes to physical wellbeing and consciousness, there are several positive outputs. This special aspect lowers blood pressure, improves sleep and combats insomnia, manages pain and improves pain tolerance, and regulates the immune system.  

• Spiritual Benefits: The spiritual benefits of this art comprise of heightened awareness and understanding of yourself and the world. In addition, it also fosters inner calm, contentment, and connection to the higher self.