Meditation is a practice that, through a deep state of concentration, allows us to relax and free the mind, ending all kinds of tensions and negative thoughts to give way to a state of well-being that will enable us to cultivate peace. This practice is widely used in religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism and disciplines such as yoga, helping to maintain our physical and mental health and promote a state of well-being. Do you know the health benefits of meditation? In this FastlyHealarticle we explain them in detail.
Table of Contents
Why is meditation good for us?
We live in an environment of constant tension and stress, and sometimes escaping from these emotions is so complex that we cannot disconnect even while we sleep. However, meditation is an excellent alternative to achieve this because its purpose is to train the mind to concentrate as much as possible, thus reaching a point where we disconnect from all those emotions and can enhance relaxation and inner peace. This practice is ideal for those who suffer the physical and mental effects of stress and tension or from problems such as depression or high blood pressure.
Of course, to achieve all these effects requires perseverance, patience, and practice because training our mind is not an immediate task, much less straightforward; however, if there is something clear, it is that it brings many benefits, and then we explain what they are.
Significantly reduces stress and anxiety.
The first benefit of meditation for health that is easy to notice is that the tension and anxiety that we have accumulated during the day gradually disappear as the practice progresses. This happens because this activity significantly relaxes our mind and body by synchronizing our breathing and our ability to focus on positive thoughts, removing what is overwhelming or worrying us. All this favors reducing the levels of certain hormones that promote stress, such as cortisol or adrenaline.
It is undoubtedly an excellent therapeutic option for patients suffering from anxiety and post-traumatic stress, as shown by various studies, offering a tool to find serenity and promote reflection even in highly stressful circumstances.
Lowers blood pressure
Many universities and medical colleges have studied the effects of meditation on our hearts, including prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and various independent organizations. In all cases, the conclusion has been the same. Meditation significantly improves heart health by helping, among other things, lower blood pressure.
Some studies show that those who suffer from high blood pressure and meditate frequently can see their pressure levels reduced by up to 30%, all due to the state of well-being and relaxation that this practice produces. Do not forget that stress and tension are two significant triggers of heart disease; for this reason, the American Heart Association currently recommends this practice to hypertensive people.
It helps prevent heart disease.
But reducing blood pressure levels is not the only benefit that this discipline brings to our hearts. Heart diseases associated with the narrowing and stiffness of the arteries, such as heart attacks, strokes, or arteriosclerosis, can be prevented with frequent practice, which significantly increases the well-being of this vital organ.
Its benefits on heart health are extensive, helping prevent cardiovascular disease and reducing, by even 50%, the risk of mortality of those with heart conditions, according to a study conducted by the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Promotes better rest and deeper sleep
If your problem is insomnia or the difficulty enjoying a good rest, then it is time to encourage yourself to take advantage of the health benefits of meditation . Because this practice helps to reduce the levels of certain hormones responsible for stress, this immediately affects our general health: we feel more relaxed and in a good mood; therefore, we get to sleep better.
Various investigations have concluded the beneficial effects of meditation on rest, as this discipline helps to relax the body and our active brain, preparing it adequately to sleep peacefully. If you have insomnia problems, this is undoubtedly a great alternative.
It improves our mood and fights depression.
As with physical exercise, we were meditating favors the production of endorphins that stimulate our good mood, making us feel more animated, willing, and satisfied with ourselves. The reduction of hormones such as cortisol or adrenaline also reduces our stress and aggressiveness, giving us a much calmer and more pleasant personality.
Learning to control our mind and relax it in this way is a handy tool to improve mood, as well as being key to combat conditions as complex as depression.
Supports performance and concentration
The University of Kentucky conducted a fascinating study in 2008 in which a group of participants underwent different tests to measure their agility and responsiveness. After taking a nap, reading, talking a little, or meditating, other groups were subjected to various mental skills tests, and the result was clear: the group that meditated improved their results by 10% compared to the rest.
The mere fact of meditating requires developing the ability to concentrate, a skill that can later be used in the work or professional field. This, together with the relaxing effect of this practice, make meditation the ideal ally for excellent performance and productivity.
It helps us fight pain.
Of the many studies conducted on the health benefits of meditation, undoubtedly one of the most surprising is its ability to help relieve pain. This reveals one of the most recent research carried out by the National Science Foundation and published in the journal Pain, where it was concluded that meditating for 20 minutes 3 times a week could significantly lower the pain threshold, even in those people who are just starting in this practice.
This could be an excellent alternative for those who suffer from chronic pain conditions such as joint diseases, fibromyalgia, or cancer, being a great help also to improve their general mood.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Benefits of meditation for health , we recommend that you enter our Well-being category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.