Credit: Yoga Journal

Most of us are equipped with the knowledge of how to fix a flat tire, terminate a computer virus, or watch the latest episode of Game of Thrones without HBO. However, when it comes to a crisis, we instinctually panic, and become overridden with anxiety and stress. Now, a recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience suggests meditation can help keep our emotional brain in check, even if we’re not mindful.

When researchers recorded the brain activity of people looking at disturbing pictures shortly after meditating for the first time; those who weren’t mindful were able to tame their negative emotions as well as people who were naturally mindful.

“Our findings not only demonstrate that meditation improves emotional health, but that people can acquire these benefits regardless of their ‘natural’ ability to be mindful,” said Yanli Lin, lead author of the study and a graduate student at Michigan State University, in a statement.

Mindfulness meditation has gained worldwide popularity for its ability to promote awareness of […]