Hello everyone and welcome to this Mindful Monday morning, a segment of the Your Absolute Mind podcast

where we kickstart our week with mindfulness or meditation practices that nurtures our mental

well-being. Now if you're new here, welcome. I'm your host Paula Sweet and together we'll explore

simple yet impactful ways to cultivate mindfulness into our daily lives.

So get comfy. Give yourself the next 10-ish minutes and let's just gently explore what benefits

meditations and mindfulness has for us. Now, before we dive into today's meditation,

let's uncover a couple of fascinating facts about meditation

and why integrating this practice into our routine is a game changer. Now I'm saying

this because even though meditations have become popular, most people don't create a meditation

habit and this is where the magic happens. Did you know that meditation has been found to

increase grey matter in various parts of the brain, including areas associated with self-awareness,

compassion and introspection? And a consistent meditation practice has the potential to

significantly reduce anxiety and stress

by promoting relaxation and some mental clarity.

It's a practice that's been cherished across cultures for centuries

and its benefits are well rooted both in ancient wisdom and modern science.

The beauty of meditation is that it empowers us to be the

architects of our mind, carving out spaces of serenity, clarity and positive focus. When we meditate,

we're not just sitting silently. We're investing in a habit that propels us towards mental freedom, self-understanding

and a profound sense of peace. It's like having a heart to heart with our inner selves,

nurturing a bond that translates into a more harmonious interaction with the world around us.

Now in a few moments, we'll be jumping straight into this short but guided meditation. But before we do,

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