Spring Break is next week, and in the midst of midterms, stress levels are running at all-time highs. Students are constantly on the brink of nervous combustion.

There is a cure, though. It may sound hippie-dippie and über liberal, but meditation not only improves overall mental health, but also increases alpha and theta brainwave activity which can strengthen gray matter in the brain.

Meditation refers to a group of techniques, most of which originated in the Eastern world via different religions or spiritual practices. The exact origins of meditation are debated amongst scholars, but some of the earliest written records come from Hindu traditions.

The primary goal of meditating is to find your “right now.” That means no iPhone, no Twitter, no Facebook, no Instagram, no nothing. At any given moment, a person’s thoughts are usually bouncing between the past and the future — not the present.

It is difficult to carve out time designated for doing what seems like nothing, but setting aside time to balance the soul leads to extreme health benefits.

Last night, I was at a Girl Code presentation put on by the Panhellenic Council when Angela Rose, the activist behind Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, or PAVE, reminded the audience that we needed to “ground in our space.” The audience had to put both feet flat on the floor and took three deep breaths. Although simple, the exercise helped me find my center in an extremely stressful time.

Professors might disagree, but daydreaming is actually also healthy. Letting your mind wander can light up the part of your brain that controls complex thoughts and positive emotions.

And just like lifting weights at the gym can build physical muscle, meditation is like a mental muscle builder for the brain. Other parts of the brain, such as those that control compassion or fear, will be strengthened through meditation, eventually leading to greater control over one’s emotions.

Meditation helps cancel out negative energy and thoughts that can clutter one’s mind and get in the way of productivity. In fact, it even increases blood flow, which in turn lowers anxiety.

Much of anxiety comes from obsessing over things you cannot change (the past) or things yet to come (the future). Living in the moment automatically eliminates reasons to be anxious or to worry and gives a person a balance between the highs and lows of life.

Beginners who are new to practicing meditation should make it a formal practice. Make sure to consciously set aside at least 20 minutes per day that will be your designated “you” time.

It is best to start by focusing on breathing. Deep breathing slows down the heart rate, relaxes muscles and focuses the mind. Meditation is not simply thinking of nothing — make sure to meditate with a purpose, as it is an active process.

After breathing, stretch your body. What breathing does to the mind, stretching does for the limbs. While stretching and thinking, notice what is causing anxiety or frustration. Try to zero-in on the present instead of thinking troubling thoughts.

Just like it is recommended to set aside a designated time, it is helpful to choose a specific room or place where you will practice meditation. This can be difficult in a college environment since daily schedules are often undetermined. In that case, try to find a quiet place in whatever area is convenient.

Considering there are literally thousands of stressed students on campus, find a partner to meditate with you. Sharing thoughts or ideas with others can improve overall results. When it is a struggle to find time to meditate is when your body needs some TLC the most.

There is some argument that meditation is a bunch of hocus-pocus and that it is a total placebo. But trying meditation is healthier and safer than hitting up the neighborhood psychiatrist for the prescription du jour.

Published on March 5, 2014 at 12:15 am