Meditation is a highly appreciated and ancient practice that has gained immense popularity among different ages and walks of life – and for a good reason.
It is a simple yet effective way to relax, focus, and achieve mental clarity. Meditation is becoming more popular because of its countless benefits, with more and more people embracing meditation as a way to improve their health and wellbeing.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some exciting meditation statistics that will amaze you – and hopefully, will inspire you to start incorporating meditation into your daily routine, too.
Has Meditation Been Scientifically Proven?
In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and anxiety are a common part of daily life, people are discovering the benefits of mindfulness and meditation.
And it’s not just a spiritual practice anymore – the scientific community also recognizes the countless benefits of mindfulness and meditation that our society once purely deemed as woo-woo.
The great news is that meditation has been scientifically proven to improve the quality of life, mental wellbeing, and physical health.
Reducing stress is one of the most significant benefits of meditation. The practice of mindfulness and concentration has been shown to increase activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for regulating emotions and reducing stress and anxiety.
Meditation can also improve sleep quality, leading to higher energy levels and more restful sleep. It helps in eliminating restless thoughts, creating a peaceful state of mind, and leading to better sleep quality.
And finally, meditation can improve overall emotional well being, leading to feelings of happiness, compassion, and empathy. Mindfulness and meditation can increase self-awareness, which leads to a better understanding of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Meditation Statistics – Highlights
- The percentage of adults who practiced some form of meditation in the last year tripled from 2012 and 2017.
- Of all the meditation apps out there, Calm and Headspace are the most commonly downloaded.
- 10% of women meditate, compared to 5% of men.
- People between the ages of 45 and 64 are the age group that meditates the most often.
- The meditation and mindfulness industry is huge, worth about $1.2 billion in the US alone.
The percentage of adults who practiced some form of meditation in the last year tripled from 2012 and 2017.
Source: NIH
This is a considerable increase and shows that people are turning to meditation to combat stress and anxiety. The mindfulness movement has been gaining momentum, and this statistic is proof that this trend is not going anywhere anytime soon.
People between the ages of 45 and 64 are the age group that meditates the most often.
Source: National Library of Medicine
According to the National Library of Medicine, people between 45 and 64 are the age group who meditate the most often, followed by those aged 18 to 44. The group least likely to meditate is the 65+ demographic. This statistic could be attributed to the fact that midlife is often a time when people tend to evaluate their lives and find ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
10% of women meditate, compared to 5% of men.
Source: Journal of Women’s Health
There are many possible reasons behind this – for example, research shows that women are generally more likely to prioritize their wellbeing and self-care. Plus, traditional gender roles may play a part, with men feeling less comfortable embracing activities that are seen as more “feminine” or “new age.”
Of all the meditation apps out there, Calm and Headspace are the most commonly downloaded.
Source: Business of Apps
These two apps are by far the most popular choices for people looking to meditate regularly. Both apps offer a range of guided meditations, mindfulness exercises and other features to help users cultivate a regular meditation practice. This popularity could be attributed to the convenience and accessibility these apps provide, as well as their marketing strategies.
The meditation and mindfulness industry is huge, worth about $1.2 billion in the US alone.
Source: Market Research
Yes, you read that right! This is an industry that’s continuing to grow and shows no signs of slowing down.
With more and more people recognizing the importance of taking care of their mental and physical health, it’s no surprise that meditation and mindfulness are becoming increasingly popular.
If you’re wondering where to start, there are plenty of free meditation apps and resources available online to help you get started on your journey.
Among those who meditate, 73% report doing so for general wellness and to prevent disease, while 92% reported they did it to reduce stress or relax.
Source: NIH
These numbers speak for themselves! It’s clear that people are turning to meditation as a way to take control of their health and well-being. Whether you want to reduce stress and anxiety, improve immunity, or simply feel more relaxed and centered, meditation can help.
With consistent practice, you can train your mind to be more resilient and focused, which can translate into a happier, healthier life overall.
Meditation can reduce PMS symptoms by up to 57%.
Source: NIH
According to NIH, a research study has shown that regular practice of mindfulness meditation can reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms such as cramps, bloating, and irritability by up to 57%. Practicing meditation changes the physiology of the brain, slows down the heart rate, and reduces the level of stress hormones, which results in a reduction of PMS symptoms.
It is believed that practicing mindfulness meditation can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder up to 73% of the time.
Source: NCBI
With regular practice, people suffering from PTSD can become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, allowing them to regulate their responses, bringing down the levels of stress.
Up to 40% of adults meditate at least once a week.
Source: Pew Research Center
As the world becomes more prone to stress, anxiety, and depression, the practice of mindfulness meditation is gaining popularity among people.
And why not? Research suggests that meditation can promote relaxation, calmness, and mental clarity. Whether it’s five minutes or an hour of meditation, the benefits of this practice have proven to be immense.
52% of companies offer meditation packages as part of their employee benefits.
Source: National Business Group on Health
Companies have now begun to realize the importance of an individual’s mental health. To support their employees and provide a stress-free work environment, the National Business Group on Health reports that over 52% of companies offer meditation packages as part of their employee benefits.
Furthermore, some companies have even allocated meditation spaces within their office premises, to facilitate a peaceful environment. Corporations have thus recognized the positive and transformative effects of meditation practices to create a balanced work-life harmony.
About 50% of people meditate for better sleep.
Source: NIH
Studies have shown that meditation can help reduce stress levels and decrease the number of racing thoughts before bedtime. In fact, mindfulness meditation can result in improved sleep quality, including reduced insomnia symptoms.
By practicing meditation before bed, one can easily calm their mind and fall asleep faster, resulting in a deeper and more restful sleep.
Practicing meditation for just four days in a row can significantly increase your attention span.
Source: NIH
Participants of this study who practiced meditation for just four days showed notable improvements in their attention spans. The study found that meditation can help with cognition, memory, and even creativity.
By regularly practicing meditation, individuals can train their brains to become more focused and attentive.
Meditation can help in reducing the symptoms of depression.
Source: National Library of Medicine
According to the National Library of Medicine, a study was conducted to explore the impact of mindfulness meditation on depression. The study showed that people who practiced mindfulness meditation experienced a reduction in depression symptoms. Meditation helps in regulating moods, enhancing self-awareness, and reducing the negative thoughts that lead to depression.
With meditation, 91% of insomniacs reduced or stopped their use of sleeping medication.
Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Meditation is one of the most effective remedies for insomnia. This is because meditation helps to lower stress levels and anxiety, two primary factors that contribute to poor sleep quality.
The benefits of meditation for insomnia don’t stop there. Other studies have revealed that mindfulness meditation can help alleviate symptoms associated with chronic insomnia, such as fatigue, depression, and irritability. Through meditation, you learn to calm your thoughts and focus your mind, which ultimately helps you to achieve a peaceful night’s sleep.
Still other studies have shown how meditation can reduce nocturnal disturbances caused by conditions such as restless leg syndrome (RLS) or periodic limb movement disorder (PMD). Meditation helps to calm the nervous system and improves blood circulation, which helps reduce the intensity of the urges and movements associated with these disorders.
Final Thoughts: Meditation Statistics
These statistics don’t lie: meditation is a powerful tool for reducing stress, improving overall wellness, and achieving greater happiness and well-being.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been practicing for years, there’s always room to grow and learn with meditation.
With consistent practice and a commitment to your mental and physical health, meditation can help you achieve a happier, healthier life.
So, what are you waiting for? Start meditating today!
