More and more research is coming out in support of meditation as an effective treatment for stress reduction. Stress is a leading contributor to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many other health conditions. There are many different effective forms of meditation that provide health benefits.
The Effects of Stress
Stress can result in an overall deterioration in almost all body functions. It can also make you more at risk for a wide variety of illnesses and diseases, ranging from the common cold to deadly cancer. Chronic stress has been linked to depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and heart disease. It has also been linked to erectile dysfunction, growth problems in children and adolescents, gum disease and type 2 diabetes.
According to recent research, individuals may be predisposed to stress reactions based on extremely early childhood experiences that cause them to be more sensitive to the presence of potentially stressful triggers. Additionally, they may be more likely to become chronically stressed as they age into adulthood.
Still the Body, Relax the Mind
In a study published in a recent issue of the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, researchers studied the effectiveness of meditation compared to cardiovascular education classes with patients at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Researchers were curious to find if a mind-body approach would improve outcomes for patients.
Study participants were placed in one of two groups. The first group was a traditional health education class that focused on providing information regarding diet and lifestyle choices to improve cardiovascular health. The other study participants were placed in a group that participated meditation twice a day for 20 minutes. During the meditation, they allowed their body and mind to relax while remaining alert. The study participants in the health education group were also instructed to spend at least 20 minutes each day exercising, engaging in healthy meal preparation or other nonspecific relaxing activities.
Researchers discovered that while alcohol consumption  decreased and exercise increased by both groups, study participants who engaged in meditation also demonstrated lower death rates, improved blood pressure levels and lower levels of cigarette smoking.
If you find that you are chronically stressed, try meditation. There are many forms of meditation that are easy to use on a daily basis. Simply taking a few minutes every day to sit quietly and relax can go a long way to improving your overall health and mental outlook on life.
Do you meditate regularly? What kind of meditation works best for you? What have you found challenging about meditating?
– The Alternative Daily
