Meditation: this new age trend grows by the year. Know formerly as a form of Eastern medicine for the mind and soul, scientific studies show meditation has a positive impact on the cells of the practitioner. Western medicine now considers this practice as a form of therapy.

American scientists held a study that examined what’s coined the meditation effect. Similar to going on a relaxing vacation, the research showed changed gene expression in those who participated. Long-term effects suggested a reduction in stress or age-related genes.

Another study by Harvard held an eight-week practice of mindfulness meditation. Participants showed an increased tendency towards memory, empathy, and patience. Scans showed the ritual changed the gray matter in the brain. A second study at Harvard suggested meditation could improve ailments, particularly digestive disorders like IBS and IBD. This practice slows breathing, thereby regulating oxygen intake, blood pressure, and heart rate.Could meditation be the next life hack? Hard research suggests this may be the case.

Three simple ways to activate your inner joy:

Surrender your ego’s limitations, and listen to the inner calm. Pranayama is a great way to start.
Practice compassion and gratitude towards yourself and others.
Do things that invoke your bliss. Whether this is writing, reading, hiking, yoga, cooking, or chatting with people.

As a part of Ethereal Seals and Pepper Slyhart’s journey, I wished to introduce this useful ritual to readers so that they might research and practice it on their own. Destruction begets destruction, and mindfulness could be the key to our war-like and fast-paced society. The next time you have a little free time, consider slowing down and trying meditation. You might be surprised at the results and the hidden potential within you, just as Pepper was. Thank you for reading.