Meditation Increases Dopamine

Meditation Increases Dopamine

Just to preface, I personally don't meditate. But the way Andrew explained this kinda nudges me to do so today. Here's what he said in a recent episode about dopamine & procrastination:

I actually have to make myself meditate in that five to ten minute little bout of effortful or painful activity, but it's not about achieving an outcome, it's about forcing your body and mind into a deeper state of pain and discomfort.

Deepening the pain makes going back to normal faster so you’ll quickly find yourself back into a motivated and capable to pursue the larger goal - AH

In simple terms, when you're procrastinating, you're in pain. You might think you should do something easy to get momentum. But, in fact, you should do something that's even harder. This'll make the rebound faster.

I know you want to be productive. And meditation seems like a waste of time. But here's the thing, if you procrastinate on something, it will go on for hours before getting something done. After meditation, it will only take you a few minutes. You save time and increase output.

If you just can't get yourself to stay in meditation or can't focus for more than 20 seconds, a) that's okay and b) Andrew says that listening to something external like NSDR (by the man himself) or calm music helps you get out of your own head and persist through the meditation.

Remember, it's not about the meditation per se. It's about the act of engaging in it. So, today, whenever you feel burnt out, stressed, or lazy, find a place to sit alone, put on headphones, and listen to something calm for 5 minutes. It might change your entire day.

Acc. to the studies, you'll revamp your motivation. Andrew discusses this and other dopamine-optimizing tools in this episode.