Many people consider meditation to be a peaceful time, and while it can certainly benefit your mental health, it can also help you lose weight. Here are the top 5 ways meditation helps to reduce fat.
It Increases Daily Energy Expenditure
Did you know that your body burns calories even when you’re sleeping? This is called resting metabolism, and it’s the energy your body uses just to maintain itself. Meditation is known to increase the amount of energy you expend while you’re sleeping, which in turn could help you to lose weight.
There is evidence to suggest that meditation can increase the levels of growth hormone in your body. This hormone helps to regulate metabolism, which in turn may contribute to weight loss. In a recent study involving obese women, those who participated in a 2-month mindfulness meditation program saw significant decreases in their waistline and weight. The participants also exhibited increased energy levels and decreased feelings of stress.
In some cases, meditation may help promote the loss of weight by decreasing levels of glucagon in your body. Glucagon is a hormone that raises your blood sugar, so it works in opposition to insulin. When you have high levels of glucagon, it may interfere with the metabolism of fat, causing you to burn more calories than you would normally. By practicing meditation, you may be able to decrease the amount of glucagon in your body, which could lead to weight loss.
It Clears Out All The Bad Energy
Just like you would eat healthy food or do exercise to feel better, you should be removing things from your body that it not beneficial for your well-being. One of the best things about meditation is that it allows you to get rid of all the unwanted energy. If you have food allergies or intolerances, you may experience discomfort even when your body needs energy. Digestive problems may also prevent you from losing weight, so make sure you’re eating healthy food and getting plenty of fluids.
If you practice mindfulness meditation, you will learn to concentrate only on your breathing and eliminate all other thoughts. This act of focusing solely on your breathing clears out all the extra energy stored in your body, which may contribute to weight loss. In a study involving obese women, those who participated in a 6-week mindfulness meditation program lost an average of 4.8 pounds without changing their diet or level of activity. They also experienced improvements in their mental health, especially their self-esteem.
It Changes Body Composition
If you want to lose weight, you have to change something about your body composition. There are various ways in which meditation can help with this, such as by decreasing cholesterol and triglycerides, increasing the amount of good fats in your body, and boosting the function of your cells. According to scientists at the University of Texas at Austin, practicing mindfulness meditation for just 10 minutes a day can already improve your cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol and triglycerides are fats that can build up in your blood stream. They are both among the bad fats that speed up your metabolic rate and contribute to weight gain. People who regularly practice meditation have lower cholesterol and triglycerides, suggesting that meditation may help to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides and increase the amount of good cholesterol in your body. A healthy metabolism is essential for losing weight, and regular meditation may help to regulate it, making it easier for you to achieve your weight loss goals.
One of the best things about meditation is that it helps to decrease inflammation in your body. Inflammation is the root of many diseases, so when your body is free of it, it’s a clear signal for your health. When you practice mindfulness meditation, you are able to concentrate on your breathing and relax your body, allowing your nervous system to restore itself and eliminate all inflammation. This may improve your overall health and help you to lose weight.
It Changes Your Brain’s Hormone Levels
Did you know that your brain’s hormone levels change during meditation? The best part is that these changes are for the better, so even if you’re not thinking about your weight loss goals, you may still be improving your chances of reaching them. In a study conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, those who practiced mindfulness meditation for 10 minutes a day saw significant changes in their brain’s hormone levels, including increasing levels of serotonin and decreasing levels of cortisol and glucagon.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or hormone, that is released in your brain during moments of calm and serenity. When your body’s serotonin levels are raised, you have a better chance of feeling relaxed and composed, which can in turn improve your state of mind and make it easier for you to reach your weight loss goals. Similarly, practicing meditation can help decrease cortisol levels, which are high in situations of stress and anxiety. When your body’s cortisol levels are lowered, you have a better chance at feeling relaxed and at ease, which may also help you to lose weight and maintain a healthy body.
Glucagon is a hormone that helps regulate your body’s use of sugar. When your levels of glucagon are high, it may interfere with the normal functioning of insulin, causing you to have high blood sugar. In addition to causing you to gain weight, this can also lead to fatigue and other health problems. When you practice meditation, you may be able to decrease your body’s glucagon levels, which can improve your overall health.
In some cases, meditation may help improve your mental health by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in your brain. The brain’s GABA levels determine how alert you feel, so when they are increased, it often means you are more relaxed and able to focus. If you want to lose weight, you may want to meditate to help reduce your anxiety and improve your overall mental health, which in turn may make it easier for you to achieve your goals.
It Changes The Way You Experience Food
Did you know that your brain’s taste buds are in your stomach, so what you perceive as delicious are actually pleasurable tactile sensations your taste buds experience when they come in contact with certain foods? When your body is relaxed and at ease, you may be more receptive to new ideas, and that may include healthier eating habits. In a study conducted at Harvard University, participants who took part in a 6-week mindfulness meditation program ate less and felt less satisfied after tasting food. However, they also reported experiencing food as less pleasant, less intense, and less memorable.
When you practice mindfulness meditation, you focus on your breathing and the present moment, which helps you to eliminate all thoughts about food. This may in turn change the way you experience all kinds of sensations, including food, and contribute to your weight loss efforts.
It Builds Confidence
Did you know that your body’s ability to regulate and maintain itself depends on several factors, including your mental health and your social support network? With increased confidence comes a better mental health, which may in turn help you to lose weight. In a study conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, those who participated in a 10-minute mindful meditation program had higher self-esteem and were less likely to feel distressed by stressful situations or failures.
Self-esteem determines how you see yourself, and when it is high, it can improve your outlook and make it easier for you to reach your weight loss goals. Your social support network also influences your mental health and how you experience life, so when you feel supported and appreciated, you may feel better able to tackle life’s challenges and be more confident in yourself. Practicing mindfulness meditation regularly may help to increase your self-esteem and give you the confidence to reach your weight loss goals.
Overall, meditation may be a simple and straightforward way to lose weight. Make sure you have your diet and exercise routines in place and that you are practicing regularly to see the best results. If you want to lose weight, mindfulness meditation may be a simple and straightforward way to reach your goals.