By Sarah A LoBisco, ND
In keeping
with my current theme on my homepage, I wanted to share with you some current research
on the power of a very popular mind-body tool-mediation. Mediation is a
technique that uses various methods for to focus the mind on contemplation,
reflection, or spiritual growth.
Here’s some
of the recent benefits reported:
Meditation and Immune Health
In a small
group study, volunteers who took an 8 week training program in meditation experienced
an increase in left-sided brain activation which is related to positive
emotions. Even more cool, this positive brain state was directly correlated to
a rise in antibodies after an influenza vaccination, indicating a boosted immune
response.
Source: Davidson
RJ, Kabat-Zinn
J, Schumacher
J, Rosenkranz
M, Muller
D, Santorelli
SF, Urbanowski
F, Harrington
A, Bonus
K, Sheridan
JF. Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness
meditation. Psychosom Med. 2003 Jul-Aug;65(4):564-70.
Meditation and Mood Mind-FULL
Ness
In another
study, participants who had training in mindfulness attention showed increased amygdala
activation which was related to decreased depression scores. The researchers
noted:
·”Since
compassion meditation is designed to enhance compassionate feelings, it makes
sense that it could increase amygdala response to seeing people suffer.”
·”Increased
amygdala activation was also correlated with decreased depression scores in the
compassion meditation group, which suggests that having more compassion towards
others may also be beneficial for oneself.”
Source: Weatherby,
C. Meditation Yields Lasting Calm: Two months of meditation eased people’s
responses to emotional stimuli. Vital Choice Newsletter. 12/3/12. http://vitalchoice.com/shop/pc/articlesView.asp?id=1962
Meditation & PTSD
Various
studies have reported the benefit of meditation use on those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Recently, Dr. Mercola
summarized the findings in a study involving a group of military cadets:
- Military cadets
practicing transcendental meditation (TM) twice daily significantly
reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression. - Positive changes,
including improvements in critical thinking, mental resilience, and
behavioral coping, were also noted among the meditating cadets
Source: Mercola, J. Silence is Golden:
Meditation. Mercola.com. January 12, 2013. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/12/meditation-benefits.aspx
Therefore, it really is
true-focus your mind, think positive, and you’ll be healthier and happier!
