Understanding Meditation And It’s Health Benefits
Meditation has its origins in Eastern culture, but it has been practiced for centuries in cultures all over the world. Meditation refers to a large variety of practices and techniques and includes guided meditation, transcendental meditation and mindful meditation practice. Many different techniques can be used, such as the focus of the mind on certain objects or words, or on the breath. Sometimes a particular posture can be used but isn’t necessary.
Meditation can be simple to learn, does not require special equipment, and can be done in almost any location. After only one session a person can experience stress reduction. It has been found by most researchers that only 20 minutes a day will produce long-term health benefits. The effects can be felt even with the practice of meditation for only 10 minutes a few days a week.
Regular meditation can have positive impact on both physiological and psychological health. The alpha state can be achieved through meditation, and this is the brainwave state associated with the level of consciousness that encourages healing. Meditation can be used as a relaxation technique, but it also enhances mental sharpness, psychological health, the treatment of diseases, and overall health of mind and body.
Researchers have found that meditation acts on the parts of the brain controlling the autonomic nervous system that is in charge of involuntary functions of the body like digestion or blood pressure. These functions can be inhibited by stress, so meditation can help with stress-related conditions like digestive problems or heart disease.
A study reported in Psychosomatic Medicine described 90 cancer patients who practiced mindful meditation for seven weeks. At the conclusion of this study, patients said they experienced less depression, confusion, anger or anxiety. They reported having more energy and fewer gastrointestinal or heart problems.
A group of people who had meditated for four months was studied by researchers at the Maharishi School of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. The people participating in this study had a lower level of cortisol, the “stress hormone” in their systems and they said they felt better prepared to meet the challenges of stress in their lives.
Research can help confirm some of what we know about, but there are obviously many benefits we can claim without research. Meditation offers benefits to almost everyone, and has no reported ill effects.
