What Are the Benefits of Meditation for Students?

Meditation is a form of mindfulness that originates from the ancient Vedic times of India. Although it is most commonly associated with Hinduism and Buddhism, you do not have to be a religious person to enjoy the benefits of the practice. With many ways to practice, here you can discover all of the wonderful types of meditation along with the benefits of it.

 

 

Whilst attending uni, you’ll often find yourself in stressful situations. From maintaining relationships to keeping up with the stress of assignments and exam pressure, it can be tricky to navigate. Taking time to relax and reflect is crucial for your physical and mental health, as well as academic success. If you’re interested in learning about it, here are the top benefits of meditation for students, as well as how to practice it.

 

Whether you’re dealing with exam stress, struggling with your mental health or want to find new ways to relax, there are many benefits of meditation for students.
 

University can be a stressful time for anyone; whether it’s your first time moving out, you’re struggling to manage your student loan, and for most – exam season stress. Meditation allows you to clear your mind and put all of your negative thoughts and feelings aside. Even if you perform it for 5 minutes or an hour, it’s your time to be in the present moment – it’s your time to yourself, to forget every bad thought that you have. This clears away the overload of information that builds up daily which adds to your stress. 
Similarly, it’s also a great time to get a new outlook on life. After practising mindfulness techniques, you will have more reasonable reactions to situations that upset or frustrate you, which ultimately reduces your stress levels.
 

As meditation lowers your stress levels, it means there are fewer stress hormones, such as Cortisol, in your body and as a result, lowers your blood pressure as well. With decreased blood pressure, the British Heart Foundation explains that you will be at less risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
 

It’s no surprise that meditation can bring calmness, peace and balance to your life. Whether it’s a bad grade, rejection letters from internships or you weren’t the right candidate for a job, university comes with a variety of challenges, but mediation results in the bounce-back-ability you need to strive. 

 

 

By lowering levels of anxiety, you will be able to see improved mental health. Similar to how it reduces stress, meditation allows you to practice being mindful of your surroundings and reactions, helping you to take control of your thoughts. Since you will be in a better head space, your work and studies will be even more productive, with less distracting thoughts, which helps with your academic success. So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try out meditation and discover how your head space improves.
 

When attending two-hour lectures, it’s not uncommon for your mind to wander, zone out and even drift off (don’t worry, we won’t tell!) But what a lot of people don’t know is that regular meditation can also improve your cognitive functions, such as concentration and focus levels, as well as your long-term memory. Whether you’re learning new information for the first time or revising hard for your final exams, you’ll turn into the ultimate study machine in no time. So, find time to meditate, study hard and watch the hard work pay off.
 

From studying late and partying hard to stress-disturbed sleep, you might find yourself losing sleep whilst at uni. However, according to the NHS, meditation can contribute to a lower heart rate and slower breathing, making it easy to drift off into a deep slumber. And with a better night’s sleep comes even more benefits, including improved mental health, more energy and better concentration levels, which will all contribute to your academic success.

 

 

Now that you know why you should meditate, it’s time to learn the different types of meditation and how to practice it.
 

For beginners, guided meditation is a great place to start. Whether you use Spotify, YouTube or dedicated apps, such as Mindfulness, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started. This type of meditation is led by someone else, who helps you to achieve complete relaxation. 
 

After practising guided meditation, try mindfulness meditation on your own. This is where you’re more aware of the present and focus on just one thing, such as the pace of your breath, a certain sound or how heavy your body feels. You can acknowledge your thoughts, but let them pass without any further judgement.

 

 

3. Mantra meditation

According to Calm, who has more information on how to practice mantra meditation, this type of meditation involves repeating a sound, word or phrase that is sacred to you. It’s suggested that with each inhalation, you repeat your chosen mantra in your head and on each exhalation, let the mantra disappear. For each cycle, focus on how you’re feeling. Is the stress fading away? Or maybe you’re feeling more calm and confident? Hold on to that feeling and use it in your everyday life.
 

It may come as a surprise when we tell you that Yoga isn’t just a form of exercise; it’s known for being a “moving meditation.” Not only does it have an array of physical benefits, including improved balance, strength and flexibility, but it also creates a sense of mindfulness by calming the mind and making you more aware through simple and slow body movements. 
 

 

Yoga can be practised anywhere; in the space of your accommodation, during yoga classes and even in parks. From instructor-led classes to at-home YouTube tutorials, try out yoga for a feeling of physical and mental strength. 

 

If you’re looking for a way to relax and improve both your physical and mental well-being, meditation is the way forward. Although mediation is not for everyone, there are so many different methods of it that you can try. So why not test them all and find out which one works the best for you? We recommend that you dedicate 5-45 minutes to meditating each day if you want to see the results quickly. You’ll be surprised at how rewarding the benefits are! 

 

 

At our Novel student accommodation in Canterbury, there are plenty of spaces for you to meditate. Secure your space today!