Since then, studies
on the relaxation response have documented the following Short-term benefits to
the nervous system:
 |
2:-improved blood
circulation
3:-lower heart rate
4:-less perspiration
5:-slower
respiratory rate
6:-less anxiety
7:-lower blood
cortisol levels
8:-more feelings of
well-being
9:-less stress
10:-deeper
relaxation
Contemporary
researchers are now exploring whether consistent meditation practice yields
long-term benefits, and noting positive
effects on brain and immune function among meditations. Yet it is worth
repeating that the purpose of meditation is not to achieve benefits. To put it
as an Eastern philosopher might say, the goal of meditation is no goal. It is
simply to be present.
In Buddhist
philosophy, the ultimate benefit of meditation is liberation of the mind from
attachment to things it cannot control, such as external circumstances or
strong internal emotions. The liberated, or “enlightened,” practitioner no
longer needlessly follows desires or clings to experiences, but instead
maintains a calmness of mind and sense of inner balance.
How
Does Meditation Affect the Body?
Along with the
wonderful spiritual and emotional benefits of learning meditation,
there are a number of physical benefits you’ll enjoy as well. The most common
are reduced
stress and decreased muscle tension.
The Mayo Clinic
reports there is research that suggests meditation may also have a positive
impact on a wide range of health conditions, including allergies,
anxiety
disorders, asthma,
binge eating, depression,
fatigue, heart
disease, high blood
pressure, pain, sleep problems, substance abuse and even cancer. According
to experts, meditation is best used as a supplemental treatment in combination
with other medical interventions.
Stress
reduction:-
According to Dr.
Richard Keller, MD, chronic stress is a killer, causing high blood pressure and
constriction of the blood cells, depression and sometimes harmful addictions.
According to Dr. Randy Zusman, MD, calming the mind during meditation, focusing
attention on breathing and relaxing in a quiet state all help to reduce
feelings of stress. A study conducted by Zusman found that deep, controlled
breathing also allows the body to produce increased levels of nitric oxide, a
compound that helps open up constricted blood vessels and ultimately causes a
reduction in blood pressure.
Improved
heart health:-
A study published by
the American Heart Association reported that participants who meditated
throughout the study experienced a decrease in the thickness of their arterial
walls, while those who did not meditate experienced no change to their
arterial walls. The resulting decrease in arterial wall thickness translates
into a lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
Decreased
muscle tension:-
Drawing attention to
different areas of the body by controlling breathing and calming the mind will
help muscles relax. In fact, there’s a specific technique called Progressive
Muscle Relaxation that can be used at the beginning of a meditation session to
systematically tense and then relax muscles throughout your body.
Enhanced
immunity:-
By meditating,
promoting inner peace and relaxing, you clearly reduce stress. According to a
2003 study published in the Psychosomatic
Medicine, meditation also has a demonstrably positive effect on the immune
system and the brain.
Researchers are
conducting new studies, and more benefits of meditation are being revealed
every day. For example, according to a 2003 report in the New York Times, there are a number of small
studies showing that cancer patients who meditated had significantly better
emotional outlooks than a control group, and meditation also provides relief
for patients who suffer with anxiety and chronic pain.
