Meditation, Midterm Results, and Historic Fashion Photos

Meditation is a contemplative practice to integrate the mind and body. It's also a multibillion-dollar business with thousands of years of history behind it. There are numerous meditation apps, retreats, workshops, and lifestyle and commercial products tied to meditation and mindfulness.

> A look at how meditation changes our brain waves. (More)
> Meditation has been hailed as a "mind hack" in tech circles. (More)

Since the 1960s, meditation has grown increasingly popular in the US, and it now surpasses yoga and acupuncture in its adoption. Meditation can take different forms, including mindfulness meditation, which focuses on being present and on examining one's breath, and transcendental meditation, which aims to center oneself with a mantra.

> Science says our minds wander nearly half of the time in ways that make us unhappy. (More)

> Advanced meditation can lead to an altered sense of consciousness—but it's not like a coma. (More)

> Yoga is very popular, but meditation is even more so. (More)

Studies have explored meditation's applications for a wide range of health issues, including anxiety, stress, depression, pain, and substance abuse disorders. There has been less research on the potential risks of meditation, with some recent work suggesting that intense meditation can result in health issues such as feelings of panic, paranoia, and more.

> "Meditation sickness" affects a surprising number of people. (More)

> There's a "dark" side to meditation, according to this recent in-depth feature. (More)

Discover more: 

> There are almost 75 listed meditation studies seeking participants. (More)

> Sweden has a breathing-based museum. (More)

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 News in Context 

1440 brings you the knowledge and context behind the week's stories:

In last week’s midterms, counties in nearly every state swung toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential race. (More)

> See how political campaigns use your data.

> Explore how Americans have changed the way they vote over the last four decades.

Insurance premiums for benchmark silver plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace will rise by 13% next year, according to a recent data analysis published by the healthcare nonprofit KFF. (More)

> The number of uninsured patients increased by almost 21% compared with 2025, hospitals announced in July 2026. 

> The cost of covering family health insurance has tripled in 20 years.

Dads are now about as likely as moms to claim paid leave across several states. (More)

> Paid family leave is linked to healthier babies and fewer hospitalizations.

> The UK has moved forward with miscarriage leave that starts next year.

Tom Hanks will return to Broadway in a play based on one of his short stories. (More)

> Celebrities often attract larger audiences to Broadway productions.

> Many Broadway shows close without earning a profit.

 Etcetera 

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Historybook: Astronomer Edmond Halley born (1656); X-rays are discovered (1895); Teddy Roosevelt embarks on 17-day trip to Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming first president to make diplomatic tour outside continental US (1906); Edward Brooke becomes first African American since Reconstruction elected to US Senate (1966); "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek dies (2020).