Increased Gratitude
Imagine how your mood would be if you took the time out to meditate or think about the things you should be grateful for. In the end you feel a lot happier, and you realize that things really aren't as bad as they seem. You are blessed and highly favored! You may not love your job, but at least you have one. You may be really tired, but you were blessed with the ability to wake up this morning. Taking time to be still and focus on the good things will help you realize that things aren’t so bad after all. Meditation can change the way you think, and help stabilize your mood.
Enhancing your relationships
Meditation gives you the opportunity to become in tune with yourself, your emotions, and your spirit of discernment. When you are in touch with yourself and emotions you are able to connect with others and experience increased empathy. This is an opportunity for you to engage in deep thoughts, and connect with your self in an effort to connect with others.
Be Happier
Meditation ultimately helps people feel and look happier (Choi, 2012). When you are at peace with yourself, focused, healthy, and have positive relationships happiness is bound to be your end result. People around you will notice that you are happier, and you will attract all sorts of positive energy to yourself, and this is a beautiful thing! The next time you are feeling down, depressed, or stressed out remove yourself from the situation, sit still and close your eyes for ten minutes, and let all of your thoughts and feelings come and go with your breathing. Focus on your breathing only. Forget about all of your worries. When you open your eyes you have taken the first step to becoming a healthier, resilient, and happier.
References
Bor D. The Ravenous Brain: How the New Science of Consciousness Explains Our Insatiable Search for Meaning. New York, NY: Basic Books; 2012.
Choi, Y., Karremans, J., & Barendregt, H. (2012). The happy face of mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation is associated with perceptions of happiness as rated by outside observers. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(1), 30-35.
Donnelly, G. (2013). Health benefits of emptying the mind: Rediscovering meditation. Holistic Nursing Practice, 27(2), 57-8.