There are people out there that would argue daily meditation is a must but such a high goal can feel imposing, if not impossible, for a beginner. However there are many benefits to meditation like increasing your physical fitness, managing stress, and becoming more self-disciplined in your routine. Meditation—at least on rest days—may just be the answer you didn’t know you were searching for.
The Case for Meditation
Meditation is an Eastern spiritual and mental practice that has been explored by everyone from scientists to educators. Offering health benefits such as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, lowering blood pressure, alleviating sleep problems, and pain.
Meditation practice comes in different forms. Meditation enhances mind-body awareness, helping you become more conscious of your thought patterns, stress indicators, and emotional experience.
A short 10-15 minute practice on your rest days can help you develop a skill called mindfulness. This allows you to slow down in the present moment and actually enjoy your workouts when they’re taking place. It also helps you notice more aware of both hunger and satiety, meaning you may be more likely to put down the spoon before you demolish an entire pint of ice cream and consume the calories you burned during your workout.
Try it for a week on your rest days and watch what happens.
