The Health Benefits of Meditation

Meditation involves focusing to achieve a clear mind and calm emotions. Many
people claim that it improves their mental and physical health.

In 2014, researchers at Johns Hopkins University looked at 47 different studies

on meditation which they say used reliable research methods. They found that
meditation can be used to manage both stress-related problems, like anxiety,
and physical problems, like chronic pain.

Two common meditation techniques covered by the study were “mindfulness”

and “transcendental” methods. Mindfulness is about focusing on fully
experiencing the present moment. Transcendental meditation focuses on
repeating a mantra: a sound or phrase which is often kept private, and usually
considered sacred or of great personal significance. A common mantra is “om.”

The researchers found some evidence to

suggest that mindfulness-based
meditation slightly reduced stress levels
and pain after eight weeks of practice.

After 6 months of mindfulness

meditation, the benefits were more
noticeable. According to the study, the
effects were similar to what would be
expected from using an antidepressant –
without the possible side-effects. So
meditation may be worth a try for anyone
struggling with stress, anxiety, or pain.

The researchers were less confident about the health benefits of mantra -based
techniques, saying that more research was needed to identify the specific
effects of different styles of meditation on people’s health.

They also said that meditation should not be used as a replacement for other
health treatments, noting that results varied from person to person. Some
patients who used other methods, such as medication or therapy, report ed
better results.

There are many ways to learn how to meditate, including classes, online
resources, and mobile applications. So if you’re interested in trying it, there will
be methods that suit your goals and personality type. If possible, start with
mindfulness meditation as it has the most scientific research to back up its
health benefits.