Mindful Menopause: Brain Health & Stress Management Through Meditation with Ariel Garten
Dec 29, 2023
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Ariel Garten, co-founder of Muse, discusses the benefits of meditation for women over 40 going through menopause. Topics include regulating neurochemistry, improving sleep, increasing emotional regulation, the difference between mindfulness and meditation, Muse as a meditation tool, and the impacts on neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
Meditation can regulate neurochemistry, improve sleep, and increase emotional regulation.
Different styles of meditation can help menopausal women find calm, gain insight, and process emotions effectively.
Meditation promotes neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, supporting brain health and cognitive function as women age.
Deep dives
The Power of Meditation for Menopausal Women
Meditation can be a powerful tool for menopausal women, helping to regulate emotions, improve sleep, and create positive changes in the brain. By focusing attention on the breath or a specific object, meditation strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for attention and organization. It also calms the amygdala, reducing anxiety and stress. Meditation promotes acceptance and mindfulness, allowing women to navigate the challenges of menopause with greater ease. Regular meditation practice can lead to improved sleep quality and the ability to fall back asleep after waking up at night. Muse, a wearable device, provides real-time feedback during meditation, helping individuals stay focused and develop their meditation skills. By incorporating meditation into their routine, menopausal women can experience greater calm, insight, and overall well-being.
Understanding Different Meditation Styles
There are various meditation styles that can be used to achieve a focused and calm state of mind. Focused attention meditation involves concentrating on a single object, such as the breath or a mantra, and bringing the attention back whenever the mind wanders. Walking meditation involves focusing on the sensations of the body while walking. The key is to give the mind a specific focus beyond wandering thoughts. Mindfulness is the skill developed through meditation, which involves being aware of thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. These meditation styles can help menopausal women find calm and gain insight by quieting the mind and processing emotions in a more effective way.
The Benefits of Meditation for Sleep
Meditation can greatly improve sleep quality and help women overcome sleep disturbances experienced during menopause. By calming the mind and decreasing cortisol levels, meditation can quiet racing thoughts and promote a sense of calm before bed. Acceptance, a key aspect of meditation practice, can also help women cope with night sweats and other disruptive symptoms by reducing frustration and stress associated with these experiences. Meditation not only helps women fall asleep faster but also assists in returning to sleep during nocturnal awakenings. By incorporating meditation into their bedtime routine, menopausal women can promote better sleep and overall well-being.
The Role of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis
Neuroplasticity and neurogenesis play significant roles in maintaining brain health and cognitive function, even as women age. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections, while neurogenesis involves the generation of new neurons. Meditation can enhance neuroplasticity and neurogenesis by increasing brain coherence, calming anxiety, and enabling insight and perspective. Regular meditation practice, alongside exercise, stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neurogenesis. By engaging in meditation and other brain-healthy activities, menopausal women can support the growth of new neurons and enhance their brain's adaptability and resilience.
Introducing Muse: A Meditation Tool for Menopausal Women
Muse is a wearable device that enhances meditation practice for menopausal women. It uses EEG sensors to track brain activity during meditation, providing real-time feedback through gentle sounds. When the mind is focused, calming sounds are heard, but when the mind wanders, the sounds of rain increase, reminding individuals to redirect their attention. Muse acts as a coach, helping women stay focused and develop their meditation skills. The device promotes consistency and deeper meditation by providing immediate reinforcement. Menopausal women can benefit from incorporating Muse into their meditation routine, experiencing greater calm, improved sleep, and enhanced overall well-being.
Ariel Garten is here to discuss the benefits of meditation, particularly for women over 40 going through menopause. Ariel explains how meditation helps regulate neurochemistry, improve sleep, and increase emotional regulation. Ariel and Dr. Mindy delve into the impacts of meditation on specific neurotransmitters, the difference between mindfulness and meditation, and how meditation contributes to neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Ariel also introduces Muse, a tool that tracks and guides one's meditation journey, offering real-time feedback, to help users adhere to and enhance their practice. Go to https://choosemuse.com/pelz will give 20% off.
To view full show notes, more information on our guests, resources mentioned in the episode, discount codes, transcripts, and more, visit https://www.drmindypelz.com/ep215.
Ariel Garten is the Co-Founder of Muse, a leading consumer neurotechnology and meditation company.
With a background in neuroscience, psychotherapy and art, Ariel is dedicated to bringing easy-to-use and accessible tools for well-being to the masses. Ariel’s unique background has taken her from working in neuroscience research labs, to owning a fashion design label, to being the female founder and CEO of a Silicon Valley backed brain computer interface tech start-up, InteraXon, the technology that sparked the creation of Muse.