5 health benefits of meditation you may not know?
More and more researchers are exploring and studying the health benefits of meditation. While benefits often vary from person to person, many studies have found that meditation practice has an overall positive effect on both mental and physical health.
1. Sleep
People with insomnia and accompanying fatigue may have a non-pharmacological intervention. “Mindfulness meditation is one of several techniques that elicit the relaxation response,” says Herbert Benson, PhD, director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard University.
This can help target the body's stress response, which is often a major factor when it comes to sleep disorders. Dr. Benson recommends using a calming focus (such as a phrase or word) in a repetitive manner to help create this response.
2. Pain
Experts note that meditation can be effective when combined with other traditional drug treatments, acting as an alternative to opioid treatment. Unlike the risk of addiction that often comes with opioids, meditation can provide pain relief with very few side effects, as demonstrated by several studies.
For example, findings from a 2011 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggest that meditation may help reduce levels of brain activation associated with pain. Overall, participants rated their pain reduction between 11 and 70 percent and their discomfort reduction between 20 and 93 percent.
3. Mood disorders
Although not found to be more effective, studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy or antidepressants for some people with anxiety or depression.
“This means that [mindfulness-based interventions] could be used as an alternative to antidepressants for people who are reluctant to take them or want to avoid the side effects of medications,” says Gaëlle Desbordes, PhD, a neurologist at Harvard Medical School.
4. Emotional Intelligence
In a new study of school employees, transcendental meditation was found to improve emotional intelligence and reduce perceived stress in the workplace.
Because psychological stress is such a common problem among workers around the world, researchers believe that meditation should be introduced as an optional wellness program in the workplace.
5. Relationship
Dyadic meditation refers to two people practicing meditation together. It is believed that this can help improve relationships with each other by promoting closeness and communication.
As researcher Bethany Kok notes, normal conversations tend to be limited and focused on what one person should say next rather than listening to the other person. Meanwhile, partner meditation teaches people to pay attention and listen to the other person in a calm and accepting way.
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