Meditating On Your Health
Meditation is something anyone and everyone can do to improve their mental, physical and emotional health. Even if you only have a few minutes to do it each day, it’s is a great way to improve your quality of life. Best of all, you practice meditation anywhere and no special equipment is needed.
Here are some of the key health benefits of meditation.
Meditation triggers the body's relaxation response and restores it to a calm state, helping the body repair itself and preventing new damage from the physical effects of stress. Research has also shown that meditation may improve symptoms of stress-related conditions, such as fibromyalgia.
Less stress means less anxiety. And during these times, that’s a huge reason to try meditating. What’s more, meditation may also help control job-related anxiety in high-pressure work environments like aviation.
Meditation can lead to a more positive outlook on life and greater optimism. Chemicals called cytokines, which are released in response to stress, can affect mood and lead to depression. Several studies suggest meditation may reduce depression by decreasing these inflammatory chemicals.
Nearly half of the population will struggle with insomnia at some point. Meditation can help relax your body, releasing tension and placing you in a peaceful state where you're more likely to fall asleep. Also, it can help you redirect the runaway thoughts that often lead to insomnia.
During meditation, blood pressure decreases. It increases the formation of a compound called nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to open up, lowering blood pressure. As a result, this can reduce strain on the heart and arteries, helping to prevent heart disease.