Let's dive into something near and dear to our hearts (and brains) here at Vital: the science behind what Vital offers.

Spoiler: it’s not just about sitting still and "trying not to think thoughts" 😉

We know that balancing innovation and leadership can be overwhelming. Whether you're new to personal growth, or a self-improvement junkie, stress can creep into your day like political signs on your neighborhoods' lawn.

But fear not! Vital is here to help, and we offer more than just zen vibes. So let's talk about the science behind how it actually works.

And who better to help guide us through than Steve, our new fictional COO.

Meet Steve: A High-Achieving Innovator

Steve is a CMO at a fast-moving company. Between juggling quarterly board meeting, managing teams, and staying ahead of trends, he’s always pushing for more (like many of us).

But here’s the thing - Steve’s running on fumes and feeling like things are slipping out of control. 😔

What Steve needs isn’t a vacation (though that wouldn’t hurt). He needs to reset, refocus, and realign with his values and purpose.

Ok, but what does that mean and how does it all work? Let's break it down in terms even Steve’s busy brain can appreciate.

A Quick Brain 101 (No Pop Quiz, I Promise)

(We love this visual from Rebekah Ballagh, @journey_to_wellness_)

Your brain has a few key players when it comes to handling stress and focus:

• Amygdala: The fear center. This is your fight-or-flight response kicking in.

  
  

• Hippocampus: The memory and learning part. This helps you retain and recall information.

  
  

• Prefrontal Cortex: The boss of decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional control.

When these parts are in sync, you’re unstoppable. When they’re overwhelmed—well, that’s when meditation can step in and help.

The Science of Stress Relief

When you’re stressed, your amygdala (aka the panic button) goes into overdrive, flooding your system with cortisol.

Over time, this leads to exhaustion, burnout, and—let’s face it—shorter tempers with your coworkers (or your family).

Enter Vital. Vital's guided sessions are created on-demand, and in direct response to the specific issue you share with it. These sessions help you feel heard and supported, which research from Harvard shows is associated with both psychological safety (making easier to address a challenge) and reduced burnout.

So for Steve, Vital's personalized meditations become a reset button. Even just a few minutes will calm his racing thoughts, giving him back control over his stress response, and making him a lot more tolerable to be around 🤗

Plus, by making this a habit, Steven can feel less stressed on a regular basis. Additional research shows that regular meditation can shrink the amygdala and actually reduce regular cortisol levels!

Sharpening the Brain

Steve doesn't stop at reducing stress. With regular meditation, he's noticed a clearer, sharper focus. But don't just take our word for it! Here's the science:

This Research from Harvard shows that meditation increases gray matter in the hippocampus, improving memory and cognitive function. It also enhances the prefrontal cortex, helping with decision-making.

And this Research from UCLA shows that regular meditation over time can strengthen the connections between brain cells (known as neuroplasticity). It also shows strong correlation between number of years of meditation and degree of positive enhancements to brain function like capacity for complex thought, memory, and information processing!

So, while Steve was once constantly feeling stressed, overworked and distracted - over time Vital helped him to gain control over his mind, and increased his capacity for more focused, clear, and confident decision making.

Strategic thinking, anyone?

Awakening Purpose Through Alignment

Here’s the big one: through meditation, Steve doesn't just reduce stress and distraction. Vital helps Steve build awareness. From awareness comes clarity. Clarity of what is aligned and perhaps misaligned with his values. With this clarity comes choice and the mental space to reconnect with his purpose.

This research from Oren Hanner at the University of Hamburg, indicates that meditation helps individuals connect with a “meaning in life” by encouraging them to contemplate and align with what truly matters to them.

By incorporating meditation into daily, healthy routines, Steve is able to reflect and remember why he got into this business in the first place:

It wasn’t just about crunching numbers or balancing budgets—it was about building something bigger. Steve always saw himself as a key player in turning ideas into reality, a drive that deep down brings him joy.

For Steve, meditation wasn’t about checking off another wellness box—it was about living his mission. And that’s what we’re here to help you do, too.

Beyond Meditation

While the science is clear on the benefits of meditation, and Vital's unique on-demand, personalized sessions are a powerful feature, the platform is much more than a typical meditation app.

The range of techniques you'll learn with Vital can be used as needed, even without the app. Plus the guidance and encouragement around building your capacity for awareness is more like coaching than it is simply "meditation".

Perhaps this is why we get feedback from our customers like this:

"Vital is perfect for those who want instant coaching on problems and challenges that can help shift their mindset or mental models so they can move forward." - Mick D.

So, What’s Next for You?

Whether you’re like Steve, feeling a bit robotic in your day-to-day grind, or you’re just curious about how meditation could help you tackle life’s challenges—we’re here for it.

We believe you deserve more than just a moment of calm.
You deserve growth, purpose, and the tools to navigate everything life throws at you.

So, if you haven't tried Vital yet, what are you waiting for?

Click below to get started. It's free for 7 days!

Thank you for being part of the Vital community. We’re excited to see where your journey takes you next—whether that’s conquering your inbox, setting those long-term goals, or finally finding a way to silence that pesky inner critic.