Summer Meditation: An Attractive Way to Improve Your Life

Have you considered implementing meditation as one of your summer activities? During the summer months, most people are busy vacation planning, finding activities for the kids, cooking out, and going to the beach or pool. As these activities fill life with fun and active moments, plus great memories, why not implement something less hectic, less strenuous, less busy? What if I told you summer meditation is an activity that will benefit your life and your health in big ways?

How can summer meditation help you?

Our society puts a lot of emphasis on physical appearance (summer body, anyone?). It isn’t surprising that mental and emotional health have been brushed aside. Nevertheless, our emotional state controls our life in a big way. Our emotions guide our actions to eat more, sometimes less, to stay at home instead of going out, or even keep us from getting a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown that with as few as 7 minutes of meditation, feelings towards oneself and others can be improved. Sounds like a good idea to make summer meditation part of your routine.

The purpose of summer meditation is to let the mind rest from external stimuli and focus inward to get to know oneself. Most of our waking time is spent on knowing the external world and others, but not ourselves.

According to a study by the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, the physical structure of the brain changes through the practice of meditation. Meditation during any season can help improve:

Focus and concentration

Meditation enhances the ability to focus and concentrate while decreasing wandering in past or future experiences. This helps us to stay in the present. It teaches the mind to enjoy the moment instead of dwelling on the past or future.

Personal insight and emotional regulation

Through meditation, we quiet the mind and go within, reaching a state of consciousness that is different from the one we have when fully awake. This helps the mind to relax, having clear thoughts and feelings, which leads to more understanding of our reactions.

Visual – spatial abilities

Meditation sharpens these skills, which are very useful for everyday tasks like driving or orienting oneself to a new city. Engineers and architects are known for their visual-spatial abilities.

There are many types of meditations – using mantras, guided meditations, compassion meditation, and loving-kindness meditation. All are beneficial by improving mood and decreasing stress. Research shows meditation has the following benefits:    

Learning to meditate has so many benefits for your mind and body. Think of all the ways your summer can be truly relaxing by developing a routine for summer meditation.

Which type of meditation have you tried or been curious about trying?