For centuries meditation has been a widespread practice in many cultures throughout the world, and originated in the East. The word meditation can describe any number of methods and practices, including transcendental meditation, mindful meditation, or guided meditation. Many different techniques are used, whether it’s following the breath, or focusing the attention on a particular word or object. Sometimes people use a special posture while meditating, but not always.
Meditation can be learned by anyone, doesn’t require getting special equipment, and can be done anywhere. Even after the first session, you may experience a reduction in stress. It’s been found by researchers that just 20 minutes a day is all one needs to do to reap the long-term benefits. Even meditating 10 minutes a few days a week could produce positive results.
Meditation, if practiced regularly, can improve psychological and physiological health. The brainwave pattern can be brought into the alpha state by meditation. This is the state of consciousness which encourages healing. Meditation promotes relaxation, mental clarity, psychological health, healing from different diseases, and mind/body health generally.
It’s been found in studies that meditation activates the part of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, controlling the body functions like digestion and blood pressure. Stress has a powerful negative impact on these functions, so meditation can help relieve the causes of stress-related disease, like digestive disorders or heart conditions.
In a study published in Psychosomatic Medicine, 90 cancer patients practiced mindful meditation for a period of seven weeks. Patients found at the end of that time that they suffered from less depression, anger, confusion or anxiety. They experienced fewer heart or gastrointestinal problems, and they reported higher levels of energy.
At the Maharishi School of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, researchers studied a group or people who meditated for four months. They discovered that the participants had lower levels of cortisol, which is also known as the stress hormone, and were able to deal with stress in their lives better.
Although there is research to back up claims, and this can be helpful, it’s not necessary to wait for all the evidence to be produced. We know for sure that meditation has some benefits to offer, and does not have any reported health complications.
You must log in to post a comment.