Meditation builds concentration and focus

July 15th, 2006 |

Not too long ago, I posted how over the long term, meditation can actually increase the size of the brain. Specifically, it thickens the cerebral cortex in areas important for attention and concentration.

I came across another study, though, that shows meditation over the short term can also temporarily increase your ability to concentrate and focus. The study was out of the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

How does meditation instantly boost your ability to focus?

My suspicion is that when you meditate, the neural systems important for concentration are given a big rest and a chance to rejuvenate. Kind of like letting the battery recharge. When you come out of meditation, these systems are fully primed and ready to go; your ability to focus will be at its peak.

Note that this improvement in concentration is larger than what you’d acheive from taking a short nap.

Here’s a related short article that appeared in TIME magazine January 2006 that you may find interesting: How to Get Smarter, One Breath at a Time.

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Filed under: ADD and ADHD, Accelerated learning, Brain, Brain Power, Improve Concentration, Learning Strategies, Smartkit All Posts, Study Skills, Study Tips

One Response to “Meditation builds concentration and focus”

John | Guest September 15th, 2007 - 7:03 am

Good point but technically speaking the brain of an adult will not grow even while meditating. However, over long periods of meditation the brain will create synoptic paths that will increase the charge in ones brain. It’s like changing an engine of a car - taking out a 4 cylinder car and replacing it with a 6 cylinder or even a larger engine but the skull or the engine room is still the same.

Meditation increases the connections between neurons which increases ones thinking processes within the brain and that at the end will make one seem more intelligent, positive and uplifting. That is why when we meditate we increase neural activity in the brain and when the neural activity increases in the brain the person can then be able to process more thought processes in the same time, giving one the effect of more brain power.

We are all endowed with this powerful gift but most people will not switch it on and rely on outside themselves for guidance to make their lives more productive and enjoyable.

Cheers
John Dogan
http://www.secrets2meditation.com