Why Meditation is the perfect New Years Resolution

New Year’s Resolutions are all around, with everyone you know vowing to get in shape, start a new career, or learn a new language. So what’s yours?

We’re all about choosing a resolution that will keep you happy and healthy through the new year, something that will improve your mental and physical health. It shouldn’t be something you feel guilty about skipping or pressured to do “right,” but rather a source of comfort that you can look forward to. For more and more people, that source of comfort and regeneration is a meditation practice. Here are 4 reasons to think about making meditation a part of your life and wellness routine.

Meditation can improve your sleep

Many adults grow into unhealthy sleep disorders, whether it’s trouble falling asleep or waking up frequently throughout the night. Scientists from USC and UCLA found that a mindfulness meditation program greatly improved not only sleep quality, but daytime fatigue and depression. Certain types of meditation can improve REM sleep states, leaving those who practice feeling well rested when they rise and shine.

You can do it anywhere!

Meditation isn’t something that can only happen in one place, like on a yoga mat or at your new gym. You can do it anywhere when you’re feeling overwhelmed or need a break from troublesome thoughts, or even as a part of your morning routine. Meditate in your bed, meditate in the car, meditate for a few minutes at your desk at work. The only supply you need is yourself! This makes meditation an easy routine to jump into no matter how busy your schedule.

Meditation can help tackle anxiety and depression

Meditation has long been associated with decreased stress, anxiety and depression, making an excellent holistic option to improve general quality of life. Those who meditate regularly often find themselves becoming more calm and able to handle high-stress situations more easily. Sara Lazar, neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, found that parts of the brain that manage stress, empathy, and emotional regulation can physically change after just eight weeks of meditation. With these kinds of results, it might be worth a try.

Regular meditation can lead to increased creativity

Free and clear thinking is key to creative problem solving.Research has shown that non-meditators have a more rigid thinking process than those who meditate regularly, and that their go-to solutions tend to be more outdated. It’s no wonder that top companies like Google, General Mills, and The Walt Disney Company encourage meditation in the workplace, with some companies even offering in-house meditation training and spaces. So make it a point to take a few meditative moments to yourself, and unleash the creative genius within.

Watch our video with meditator and LA yoga teacher, Angela Kukhahn, for an intro to basic mudras or hand gestures for meditation.