Make Time: How to focus on what matters every day

by Jake Knapp

Meditation is just a breather for your brain. For human beings, thinking is the default position. Most of the time this is a good thing. But constant thinking means your brain never gets rest. When you meditate, instead of passively going along with the thoughts, you stay quiet and notice the thoughts, and that slows them down and gives your brain a break. So okay, meditation is rest for your brain. But here’s the crazy thing: Meditation is also exercise for your brain. Staying quiet and noticing your thoughts is refreshing, but ironically, it’s also hard work. The act of slowing down and noticing your thoughts is exertion that leaves you invigorated, just as exercise does. In fact, the effects of meditation look a lot like the effects of exercise. Studies show that meditation increases working memory and the ability to maintain focus.fn12