THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF DEEP RELAXATION AND STRESS RELIEF HEALING MEDITATION There are many reasons why people meditate. For some it is part of a spiritual journey and has to do with expansion of awareness and how they perceive and experience life. Some simply want to relax, and this benefit of meditation is self-evident. Other people are interested in the benefits of meditation for health and general well-being. The effectiveness of meditation comes from deep relaxation. When we are deeply relaxed, the body and mind are refreshed and revitalized. This brings many benefits that are both immediate and long lasting. Some major health benefits of regular meditation include: Lower blood pressure Better sleep Less anxiety Faster healing Decreased use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes Lower cholesterol Stronger immune response Reduction of stress hormones brings many benefits The results above have been demonstrated in many rigorous scientific studies, a few of which are mentioned below. Researchers have found that meditation lowers levels of stress hormones. In fact, by decreasing the level of one such hormone -- epinephrine — meditation has been shown to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood and therefore help arteries to remain clear. Reduction of stress hormones also supports the healthy functioning of the immune system. Alpha waves and deep relaxation This reduction in stress hormones may be explained by the relaxed state that comes about through meditation. Electroencephalograph (EEG) studies of the brain in those who are meditating show that meditation boosts the intensity of alpha waves -- associated with quiet, receptive states — to levels not seen even during sleep. This relaxed state combats anxiety, Meditation helps the heart Meditation has been found to be particularly helpful for the heart. Meditators have been found to have improved blood circulation, as well as a lowered heart rate, which places less demands on the heart. A 1998 study published in Psychosomatic Medicine showed that people who practiced transcendental meditation (TM) had lower levels of lipid peroxide than those who didn't. Lipid peroxide can contribute to atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases associated with aging. Help for Fibromyalgia, Psoriasis, IBS, and More A 1998 study in Alternative Therapies showed that meditation helped decrease symptoms such as pain and sleeplessness in patients with fibromyalgia, a disease characterized by muscle pain, fatigue, and mild-to-moderate depression. Meditation has also been associated with a longer life span, better quality of life, fewer hospitalizations, and reduced health-care costs. It has also shown promise as an adjunct therapy in relieving mild depression, insomnia, tension headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), as well as in controlling substance abuse. Increase your threshold for stress...deal with the ups and down of life much more easily...protect yourself from serious physical and emotional problems caused by stress... Create whole-brain thinking...dramatically increase mental abilities, creativity, learning ability, focus and concentration... End anxiety, fear, anger, depression, sadness, self-sabotage, substance abuse, and overeating... Be happier, more peaceful, more compassionate, more at ease... Meditation is the most potent way to lower stress and create peace of mind in these highly stressful times... people who meditate everyday are many times happier than those who don't? They're also healthier, and live longer. And, their sense of well-being is much higher than that of non-meditators. Meditators' minds are also sharper, and their problem-solving abilities are better. meditators have dramatically better mental health? They have less anxiety, anger, depression, and fear, and they have better human relationships, more friends, and feel much more fulfilled in their lives Dramatic increases in the production of a whole variety of beneficial brain chemicals, including pleasure-causing endorphins—as well as a number of others proven to slow aging and increase longevity and well-being... Dramatically lower stress levels, and an increased ability to deal with whatever comes at you from the world, calmly and clearly. You become more relaxed, less anxious, more centered, more peaceful, and more connected to others... The need for sleep decreases, yet aliveness, vitality and energy increase!

• published: 17 Oct 2013
• views: 16124