Bodybuilders can benefit from meditation. This idea might sound unusual given the contrasting nature of these two activities. However, the effects of meditation on the brain and body can actually help increase builders’ performance. This article from BeliefNet lists 10 examples of the positive effects of meditation on bodybuilding.
How Does Meditation Help Boost Bodybuilding Performance
Bodybuilding is known as a competitive sport that requires your body to be in excellent condition with the muscles that are built and the amount of weight that you can lift. Unfortunately, it can be easy to have challenges mentally or exhaustion while working towards your goals. If you want to increase your performance, there are a few ways that meditation can help you to increase your success.
Meditation as a complement to bodybuilding is a rather unusual concept. However, it turns out these to two very different hobbies balance each other out quite well.
Mind and Body Benefits
Due to the mind and body benefits it entails, consistent meditation can contribute to successful bodybuilding.
For example, deep-breathing, an important element in meditation, can actually reduce mind and body stressors, calm the body, and relax our parasympathetic nervous system. Consistent meditation may even curb cravings and hunger, which can make it easier to keep a healthy diet.
Meditation also enhances focus, which is a huge asset in bodybuilding. Meditating allows a person to stay “in-the-now” and keeps them away from distracting, negative thoughts and feelings. This elevated focus can speed up your bodybuilding goals.
Additionally, meditation increases testosterone levels. This is because its stress-relieving effects decrease a person’s cortisol levels. As result, testosterone level increase. Higher levels of testosterone increase muscle mass.
Meditation can also help a person sleep better. Enhanced quality of sleep can facilitate quicker recovery for bodybuilders.
Meditation for Addiction and Over-training
Jay Lamrod – Meditation for Muscle Growth & Recovery in Bodybuilding https://t.co/KD7YWAmT5A #Comedy #Daily_Vlogs #Sport #vloglife pic.twitter.com/4cfliLNf4m
— Vlog.life (@vloglifeHQ) April 30, 2017
Not only can meditation provide mind and body benefits, it can also help in reducing and managing common bodybuilding problems.
Bodybuilders have the tendency to be overly competitive. This often leads to over-training or even steroid addiction. In fact, intense self-criticism can contribute to anxiety and addictive behaviors, worsening steroid use.
Countering these factors, meditation can help a bodybuilder become more compassionate with themselves. As meditation reduces anxiety, it can also help in managing addictive behaviors.
Over-training, on the other hand, is not just physically damaging but also mentally harmful. Pushing oneself too hard can strain muscles or lead to serious injuries.
In contrast, meditation can help a bodybuilder develop a healthier mindset in his pursuit of the shape he wants. As a result, he or she will have realistic expectations and will know when to stop and let the body rest.
For more interesting info on meditation and bodybuilding, you can watch this video below:
Depending on the problems you’re facing in the gym, complementing bodybuilding with meditation might be one way to speed up your bodybuilding progress. Whether the factors are mental or linked to bodily stress, meditation can guide you to great results.
How does meditation help with your bodybuilding progress? Let us know in the comments section below!
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