Meditation
may be spiritual for some, but the practice is not necessarily
religious in nature. There are many meditative approaches
but regardless of the technique, medical research indicates
that the practice of meditation tends to evoke a state of
physiological relaxation: blood pressure drops, heart beats
slower and breathing is quieter, other biochemical changes
can also occur. Scientists do not understand why the changes
happen but understanding the physical effects can explain
the potential health benefits of meditation.
Twenty
minutes of daily meditation can provide relief for ailments
such as low back pain, headaches, depression and anxiety.
Suffers of these chronic conditions should attempt to incorporate
the meditation practice into their daily routine. If meditation
can lower blood pressure, it could be a useful tool in helping
patients with hypertension. If scientists uncover exactly
how meditation works to relieve these symptoms, they may be
able to apply that understanding to treat a variety of other
disorders.
Research
on meditation began back in the late 1960s. Herbert Benson,
MD, began studying the physiological impact of Transcendental
Meditation on individuals. In recent years, the scope of studies
has focused on how the practice can reduce symptoms of chronic
illnesses from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Critics indicate
some of the research is been on small study populations and
has not had adequate control groups for comparison. But some
studies have shown promising results.
Meditation
can relax the body. Promote more restful sleep and boost the
body’s immune system. This will help fight illness and
better manage the symptoms of chronic conditions. Meditation
can relax the mind and help us better deal with the stress
of our daily lives. The popular interest in meditation and
its health benefits may help drive more research in the future.
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