Our brain is an incredible organ that’s constantly working to deliver information through our body, but there’s so much we still don’t know about it. So, we turned to Monash University Researcher Dr Hamish Deery to find out: what happens to our brain when we meditate?
How meditation affects the brain with Patrick Cripps
ARTICLE
1 October 2024
4 min read
4 min read
Have you ever stopped to consider how our daily habits affect the brain? We did, and it led us to the experts at Monash University, who are paving the way in brain research.
The Brain on Meditation with Patrick Cripps
Why we meditate
From relieving stress, to improving focus and cultivating greater emotional wellbeing, there’s more than one good reason to meditate. Even Carlton Midfielder Patrick Cripps can attest to the positive impacts of a regular practice. So, what happens in our brain when we engage in mindfulness down and on our breath?
Testing meditation
Before we can understand the macro and microscopic workings of our brain, we need to get up close and personal with it, via an EEG (electroencephalogram) machine. This impressive piece of equipment allows us to track the electrical activity of the brain during meditation within milliseconds.
The short- and long-term benefits
Even for first-time meditators, we saw an immediate increase in the brain’s alpha waves, indicating an immediate sense of peace, calm and relaxation. While long-term meditators showed an increased ability to remain focused, and pay greater attention to challenging mental tasks, like work.
How to start meditating
Whichever way you slice it, the science is clear: meditation is good for you. If you’re new to meditation, the good news is you can start anytime and still reap the benefits. Remember to:
Start slow
Honing in on a single point of focus, like your breath, is a way to stay grounded and focused in the moment. If you’ve never meditated, following a guided meditation can be a great starting point. If you’re an AIA Vitality Member, connecting to a compatible mental health app such as Calm or Headspace will allow you to earn 15 points per day for 10 minutes of meditation!
Be patient
Don’t worry if you find it hard to concentrate for the entire duration of your meditation, it’s completely natural for our thoughts to wander. Like any habit, the more you practise, the easier it becomes.
Don’t give up
You don’t have to spend hours every day meditating. Just ten minutes, a few times a week, can have a huge impact on your wellbeing.
You don’t need to put your brain to the test to keep it healthy. Giving meditation a go when you can, as often as you can, is a small something you can start with today for greater benefits in the long run.
Staff Writer
Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
Disclaimer:
The brain imaging presented in this series is for illustrative purposes only and is not the actual brain images of the talent features within. This content was developed using Monash University facilities and expertise/personnel as a fee for service. The use of the featured product is not a promotion, endorsement or recommendation by Monash University of that company or product.
Copyright © 2024 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other advice. The source information of the articles is current as of the date of publication and may be subject to change. While the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, AIA Australia expressly disclaims any and all liability for representations or warranties, expressed or implied, contained in, or for omissions from, the information.
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