Health Benefits of Meditation
Meditation Improves Physical, Psychological and Spiritual Well-Being
Jan 20, 2009
In recent years, the various health benefits of meditation have become more and more acknowledged by the scientific community as well as the public. While initially, research concentrated more on the physiological benefits of meditation, there have recently been an increasing number of studies on the various psychological benefits, too. Apart from the pioneers of meditation research such as Harvard's Dr. Herbert Benson ("The Relaxation Response”) and Jon Kabat-Zinn, there are now scientists such as Richard Davidson and Sara Lazar using the tools of modern brain research to explore the effects of meditation on your mind and health.
Physiological Benefits of Meditation
Meditation has been found to have the following physiological health benefits:
- Meditation decreases the metabolic rate and lowers the heart rate, thus indicating a state of deep rest and regeneration.
- Meditation reduces stress which is indicated by lower levels of stress-hormones such as cortisol.
- Meditation reduces high blood pressure.
- Meditation has been found to help asthma patients, making breathing easier for them.
- Meditation seems to slow down the aging process of the brain and thicken the grey matter of the brain, thus increasing the brain.
Psychological Benefits of Meditation
On the psychological level, studies have shown the following benefits of meditation:
- Meditation increases the coherence of brain wave patterns in the brain, which suggests it improves creativity and learning and changes the way the brain works.
- Meditation helps to decrease anxiety, depression, irritability and moodiness.
- Meditation improves memory.
- Meditation increases the subjective feeling of happiness and contentment.
- Meditation increases emotional stability.
Spiritual Benefits of Meditation
Meditation has traditionally been seen as a tool for spiritual realization and fulfillment. While the physiological and psychological benefits have so far been concentrated on in the West, modern brain science helps to understand and explore the spiritual aspects of meditation more and more.
Another scientific tool is to question people on the subjectively perceived effects which meditation has on them. Such methods have been used in recognized scientific disciplines such as psychology or sociology.
- Studies show that people who meditate are likely to report a shift in their outlook and goals in life towards personal growth and spiritual fulfillment rather than more materialistic goals.
- Brain research shows how meditation can train the higher capacities of the mind, such as perception, awareness and compassion. The progress of brain research opens up ways of getting a clear, scientific understanding and evidence of the spiritual dimension of meditation.
While for the sake of clarity, the positive effects of meditation have been categorized into physiology, psychology and spirituality, all these areas are somehow connected. For example, feeling physically healthy will have a positive effect on one's mind, too, as well as the other way round.
Studies on Meditation
Davidson, Richard, et. al. Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 2003.
Lazar, S./Yale University (2005, November 11). Meditation Associated With Increased Grey Matter In The Brain.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1993). Mindfulness meditation: Health benefits of an ancient Buddhist practice. In Goleman, D. and Gurin, J. (eds.), Mind/Body Medicine. Consumer Reports Books, Yonkers, NY.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1982). An out-patient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: Theoretical considerations and the preliminary results. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry, 4, p.33-47.
Kabat-Zinn J. et al. (1985). The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain. J Behav. Med., Jun;8(2):163-90.
Kabat-Zinn, J. Lipworth, L et al. (1986). Four year follow-up of a meditation based program for the self regulation of chronic pain: Treatment outcomes and compliance. Clin. J. Pain, 2, 0.159-173.
