In what ways does meditation help us and our mental health?

You should definitely Google that because the benefits are too many to mention. There is much research on it. It changes the brain in ways almost nothing else can when practiced regularly. Check out Daniel Goleman's research (psychologist and researcher who coined the term "emotional intelligence").

Breathing is fundamental to our lives. Time spent on meditation does some justice to how much we take something as important as breathing for granted, by giving it some attention, and focus on doing it well, a few minutes everyday.

When I meditate I feel light. I feel peace. I feel free. It's one of the most beautiful feelings in the world. I am loving it.

Meditation has multiple benefits. First and foremost, it's a relaxation tool. Concentrating on your breathing helps to calm and slow the body and relax you. It also takes your mind off of the things that might be worrying you and helps you learn to quieten your mind. Paying attention to your body helps with developing mindfulness, which has proven benefits in improving our mental well-being. Once you have got the hang of it, you can take ten minutes in the middle of a stressful day to calm and relax yourself, take ten minutes before bed to wind down for sleep, or any other time you feel the need to relax or centre yourself.