Meditation; the mind – brain connection to fewer diseases and a healthier life. Meditation has always been promoted as a healthy thing to do, for the soul, spirit and your overall health, and the studies supporting this idea have been far and few between. There are many studies suggesting that our mental state often affects who lives longer and healthier lives. Some recent studies supporting this includes the idea that people who are in fulfilled relationships or are happier and more stress free tend to live healthier, less disease prone lives. Meditation helps us self realize and unplug, which is helpful for the soul. A new study suggests that Meditation actually changes the brain, by rewiring it, and may reduce the risk of certain diseases. According to the NY Times, a study published in Biological Psychiatry brings scientific thoroughness to mindfulness meditation and for the first time shows that, unlike a placebo, it can change the brains of ordinary people and potentially improve their health. While there are many approaches to meditation, the regular habit of meditation may actually have proven health benefits. Check out the article in the NY Times here How Meditation Changes the Brain and Body By Gretchen Reynolds February 18, 2016 The benefits of mindfulness meditation, increasingly popular in recent years, are supposed to be many: reduced stress and risk for various diseases, improved well-being, a rewired brain. But the experimental bases to support these claims have been few. Supporters of the practice have relied on very small samples of unrepresentative subjects, like isolated Buddhist monks who spend hours meditating every day, or on studies that generally were not randomized and did not include placebo control groups. This month, however, a study published in Biological Psychiatry brings scientific thoroughness to mindfulness meditation and for the first time shows that, unlike a placebo, it can change the brains of ordinary people and potentially improve their health. Read more