Can Meditation and Relaxation Boost Your Memory and Improve Attention?
Definitely! Research has shown that meditation can physically change brain structure to increase mental efficacy, the quality associated with a higher intelligence. Anxiety and stress are frequent causes of memory and attention difficulties. Biofeedback is an effective way to combat these problems.
Biofeedback uses your mind to control your body. Using cutting edge computer technology you receive “feedback” about your body’s physical condition. You can “see” and “hear” activity inside your body and, through practice, learn to control these body processes leading to a healthier body and calmer mind. Biofeedback will teach you how to counter the impact of stress on the mind and body, and promote the body’s natural healing process. Research clearly indicates that biofeedback can be used to lower blood pressure and heart rate. After each session of biofeedback, you will feel more relaxed, focused, and less stressed. Over time, you will gain control over your responses to life’s stressors while becoming a calmer, more relaxed person. These methods will give you the tools you need to manage stress for the rest of your life!
In a Harvard Medical School study researchers observed the brain using MRI with average people while they were meditating. They found that after 20 minutes of meditation/relaxation, there was increased thickness in the part of the brain that controls memory and attention. The findings suggest regular meditation helps people maintain their ability to remember and focus.
Biofeedback is also useful for a variety of other medical conditions, including:
- Headaches
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- High Blood Pressure
- Chronic Pain
- Asthma
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Sleep Problems