It seems that meditating has become the new yoga – everyone is doing it and everyone wants you to do it too. Turns out there really are several great benefits of meditating. Here are 5 of them.

#1 – Lowers Stress and Anxiety

Meditation works against stress and anxiety in two ways. First, it stops stress and anxiety from getting into your body. Second, it releases stress and anxiety already in your body. Mediation decreases levels of cortisol, a chemical that effects how the brain handles anxiety, and also lowers blood lactate, which can reduce anxiety attacks.