Meditation isn't magic, it's training
Read articleMany people start meditating with the idea that within a few days they will stop feeling stressed, be free of uncomfortable thoughts, and feel constantly at ease. When that doesn't happen, they often come away thinking they are meditating the wrong way, or that meditation simply isn't for them. In reality, the problem usually lies more in the expectations than in the practice itself.
Night shifts and an irregular routine: How to trick your body clock and finally get some sleep
Read articleThe city is waking up, people are rushing to work, and you are only just taking off your shoes. The sun shines through the windows, a neighbour is mowing the lawn, a courier rings the doorbell, and your body would rather fall asleep at once. People who work night shifts know well that the greatest enemy is often not fatigue, but falling asleep. The good news is that even small changes can help the body understand that it is time to rest.
Why do we feel different after meditation?
Read articleWhen people hear the word meditation, most imagine a calming of the mind. In reality, however, the whole body responds within a few minutes. The rhythm of the breath, the heart rate, and the activity of the nervous system can all change. That is why meditation is often associated with a feeling of relief, ease, and greater inner calm.
When the body is worn out and the mind keeps racing: meditation for drivers, tradespeople, and people who work with their hands
Read articleA shop assistant sits in the car for another five minutes after her shift. She isn't driving home. She is just sitting quietly. A bus driver has switched off the engine, but traffic lights, stops, and wing mirrors are still flashing through his mind. A plumber, at dinner, suddenly isn't sure whether he really turned the water off. They are not overloaded because they worked with their hands all day. They are tired from the thousands of small decisions they made during the shift. This is exactly where an ordinary two-minute meditation can begin.
Can eight weeks of meditation change the brain?
Read articleMeditation is often associated with a feeling of calm or relaxation. Scientists, however, were interested in a different question. Can its effects really be measured? And if so, does regular meditation lead to observable changes in the brain itself? The results of some studies suggest that the answer can be surprisingly concrete.
Why the best ideas don't come at the computer: meditation as support for creativity and decision-making
Read articleThe best ideas often don't arrive at the moment we try our hardest to invent them. The brain needs not only information, but also space to connect it. A short meditation can be a surprisingly effective helper when looking for new solutions and when making important decisions at work.
How meditation affects memory, focus, and working with emotions
Read articleDo you ever feel that you cannot focus on one thing for more than a few minutes? You forget why you walked into a room, or you react faster than you would like? Modern neuroscience shows that meditation is not only about relaxation. It can also affect brain areas linked to attention, memory, and the regulation of emotions.
Does an employee have a right to a moment of calm? Mental hygiene and the Czech Labour Code
Read articleCan an employee take two minutes of calm during working hours? The Czech Labour Code does not mention meditation, yet it creates space for protecting employees' health. A short meditation break does not have to mean wasted time or a breach of work duties. On the contrary, it can help people work with more focus, more safely, and with greater perspective.
The amygdala on a diet: Why stress takes over faster than we would like
Read articleAll it takes is an unpleasant email, an unexpected phone call, or a conflict with someone close — and the body reacts before we have time to think it through. The heart rate speeds up, the stomach tightens, and all kinds of scenarios start running through the mind. A small region of the brain called the amygdala is responsible for part of these reactions. How does it work, and why are scientists who study meditation interested in it?