How Meditation Improves Your Health (Part One)

Written by Seamus Anthony - 36 Comments
Categories: health and fitness

meditation

Fact 1: Meditation assists healing. If you have any kind of health complaint at all then meditation can help you to get better.

Fact 2: Meditation can help you to stay healthy. If you are in good shape and want to stay this way, then regular meditation is a good idea.

Twenty years ago these would have been considered fringe ideas rather than facts, but not anymore…

Meditation Goes Mainstream

Meditation no longer belongs solely to the worlds of pseudo-science and spirituality, but has now been embraced by modern science as well.

Good western doctors know how meditation works to relax and heal. A recent survey of General Practitioners found that up to 80% of doctors had referred patients to practitioners of the three most popular Complementary Therapies – which included meditation, along with acupuncture and hypnosis.

Meditation has been extensively tested in laboratories around the world and is proven to help heal the body and mind of illnesses and disorders. As a result, more and more people are turning to meditation as a simple, cheap, and effective method of self-therapy.

In August 2003, Time Magazine (U.S. edition) ran a cover story on meditation in which they reported that over ten million U.S. citizens say they regularly practice some form of meditation, an increase of 100% in the ten years prior. Furthermore, Time went on to say that “it’s becoming increasingly hard to avoid meditation. It’s offered in schools, hospitals, law firms, government buildings, corporate offices, and prisons.”

Meditation is recommended as a way to cure or improve many disorders. Key to this is the fact that meditation helps lower blood pressure and strengthens the immune system. It is effective both as means to prevent disease, and as a means to cure, manage or slow the effects of existing conditions. It is used as treatment for “heart conditions, AIDS, cancer, and infertility … depression, hyperactivity, and Attention Deficit Disorder” (Time).

Eric Harrison, Australian meditation teacher and founder of The Perth Meditation Centre, claims to have received around a quarter of his 15,000-plus clients as referrals from the medical profession. In his book ‘How Meditation Heals the Body and Mind’ (1999, Perth Meditation Center), Harrison claims that an even wider array of ailments can be managed with meditation. He suggests that by initiating the popularly cited ‘Relaxation Response’, the body is able to ward off or effectively slow and manage the effects of not just high blood pressure, but insomnia, fatigue, headaches, gastro-intestinal problems, infertility, sexual problems, and anxiety attacks.

Another respected Australian meditation teacher, Dr Ian Gawler, who used meditation to defeat a diagnosed terminal cancer, also cites the Relaxation Response as being a powerful tool for self-healing (we’ll look at exactly what the Relaxation Response is later in these articles). His work promoting meditation as therapy for cancer and other illnesses earned him an Order of Australia Medal. In his book ‘Peace of Mind’ (1987, Hill of Content) he says that meditation “rapidly and reliably brings immediate physical and psychological benefits.”

Stress – The Dark Side of Our Connectivity Culture

Modern humans are, in the majority, perpetually stressed out. An article on depression in the Medical Journal Australia** recently cited that stress levels “…among people living a Western lifestyle have risen by approximately 45% over the past 30 years.”

Practitioners of meditation believe this springs from the average person’s inability to disconnect from the stress of past events or perceived future threats. Whilst walking down the street, a person may not be doing anything stressful in that moment but may nonetheless be highly agitated due to the tendency of the mind to constantly mull over past or future problems. This occurs even though none of these problems may have anything to do with walking down the street.

In short – we are a society of perpetual ‘worry warts’, and many people fail to recognize this as fact, or indeed simply lack the skills to do anything about it. Even those who would not be described as ‘highly agitated’ or ‘chronically stressed’ are often still afflicted by a subtle level of tension which inhibits the mind from switching back into the Relaxation Response.

Our modern culture of 24-hour connectivity has made this even worse. Even low-tech hippies like me still compulsively check work emails “just quickly” before dinner and get interrupted on weekends by work related calls. This might be part-and-parcel of an interesting and otherwise rewarding career, but nevertheless it takes its toll on our ability to deeply relax. If you are always contactable, then you are never really “switched-off”, and yet, as you will see in my next two articles, this is a vital requirement in the quest for good health.

In the second post in this three-part series we will look at what the Relaxation Response is, how your body reacts to stress and why it’s bad for you.

Seamus Anthony is a musician, writer and entrepreneur who lives in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, near Melbourne, Australia. You can check out more of his personal development writing at http://rebelzen.com

  • http://www.yinvsyang.com PJ_Normz

    Great post. I learned about the power of meditation through stretching, believe it or not. I started out stretching trying desperately to touch my toes, etc. I would shake, sweat, and struggle each time.

    Finally, I learned the proper way to breathe in order to relax your body and stretch properly. I was amazed at the power the mind had and that lead to further meditation practices. I don’t necessarily sit Indian style and hum, but it definitely has become part of my life.

    Can’t wait for part 2.

    http://yinvsyang.com

  • http://goodthoughts.abetterperson.com/2008/10/how-meditation-helps/ How Meditation Helps | Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds

    [...] There’s a cracking good post on the Pick the Brain blog today about how meditation improves your health. [...]

  • http://shanelyang.com/blogs/articles/ Shanel Yang

    Seamus, I’m loving this topic and your presentation of it! Our “if-it-bleeds-it-leads” driven media doesn’t help us to forget the stressful events of the world and in our own neighborhoods, I’m afraid. That’s why I cut the cable and only occasionally catch the news I’m interested in on the internet.

    Fasting is another growing area where the Western world is finally catching up to the rest of the world in realizing the amazing healing benefits of it — not to mention it’s a safe way to lose a lot of weight and keep it off if you retrain your thoughts about food during the fast by, you guessed it!, meditation! It worked for me! I wrote all about it in a “Fasting Log” at http://shanelyang.com/2008/07/03/fasting-log-day-1/

  • Pol

    Excellent post on a topic I am fascinated by since discovering mantra meditation has enhanced my life but I have so many questions in my mind about meditation. Initially I found it very hard to define as there are different ways to meditate.

    Does anyone know if there are types of meditation that are classified as more beneficial, or does it not matter?

    Is there an optimum length of time to meditate? Is there a minimum period of meditation to gain the benefits? Is there a reccomended frequency?

    I was interested to read that some people like to meditate at length to experience a near euphoric feeling of peace while another person I spoke to was more disciplined and felt that there was no point to getting “blissed out”.

  • http://www.balancedexistence.com Stephen

    @Seamus – Love your work as always mate.

    @Pol – I like to meditate for at least 30 minutes at a time. While longer does not mean better for me personally I enjoy meditating for an hour most times. There were periods where I meditated for an hour twice a day and felt it was very beneficial. However there are people who meditate for years with little progress.

    Daily would probably be the recommended frequency. Persistency pays off. Oh and the meditation I do is probably classed as Buddhist mindfulness meditation. But that is just a label so make of it what you like.

    I also don’t think the euphoric feeling of being blissed out is a bad thing. To me nothing that happens in meditation is a bad thing. Nor is anything particularly good. Things just happen. I just watch. I think I can remember a quote from the Buddha saying that the bliss from spiritual practice is a good thing. It isn’t meant to be difficult and painful all the time. The bliss helps one persist.

    All the best,

    Stephen

  • http://tecthought.wordpress.com Scott Carver

    Ahh, an interesting subject that I, as a recovering alcoholic, don’t think I could survive without. I had always thought of meditation as being some sort of oooo eee aaahhh kind of thing. But it’s not. You do a great job trying to get this “stereo-type” removed from that word.

    Pol, personally, I have found that guided meditation really helps me when the stresses of the day just won’t stay off the ol’ mind. There are times though before bed, when I can just concentrate on my breathing and let thoughts flutter away. I think it’s going to have be something personal to you as well. But, me being sort of a newbie, I’m hoping others will chime is as well.

  • http://www.zenbylunch.com James

    great post, its something that has always interested me and I’m just starting my adventure with meditation.

    looking forward to part 2.

    http://www.zenbylunch.com

  • http://createabalance.com Stacey / Create a Balance

    I just decided to look for a meditation class to help me jump start my meditation practice. Starting on my own hasn’t worked so far. I recognize the value and look forward to the day when meditating is part of my daily practice.

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    Yes I am a bit of a yoga-hack and I definitely find that the same process of ‘letting go’ that is needed when meditating is what helps the stretch to happen. It’s not “doing more” with your body and mind, it’s “doing less”.

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    @Stacey – some people find a class a much easier way to get into it. There is no problem with either in my opinion, just never believe any teacher who says their way is the only way to meditate.

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    And in a reciprocal way, it is amazing how a lighter, healthier diet (and less booze) makes for a much easier, cleaner meditation experience.

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    Hi Pol,

    In my opinion most kinds of meditation are beneficial, as to which degree they benefit you personally is something you’d need to test. Avoid “my way or the highway” teachers though.

    As for time, I reckon anything from one minute to one hour is always well worth it. Again it’s an individual thing. Frequency? Daily is good. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get to it though, that defeats the purpose.

    And yes the bliss or no bliss debate. I think both are valid, but I prefer bliss to self-torture myself. usually I find that sitting through the difficult, fidgety stage with discipline actually leads to bliss eventually. In fact over at Rebel Zen we are about to release an e-book on just this topic so please check out this article then join our mailing list to find out more. http://www.rebelzen.com/2008/09/drugs-dont-work-try-a-cosmic-high/

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    I concur :-)

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    I am on the wagon myself – for now ;-) – and I find that when I am I always need to meditate, like NEED to, as it helps to diffuse all that energy that I used to burn off at the pub.

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    Oh yeah, I’d better write that, huh ;-)

  • Analee

    Yep, stretching is great. Since we don’t walk long distances carrying things as our bodies were built to do, we don’t have nearly enough oxygen in our muscles. Besides, the endocrine system has no pump of its own & relies on our bodily motions to achieve circulation and effectiveness. Stretch, stretch, stretch! It’s really good for you!

  • http://www.prosperity-inside.com Anna Emilie

    Today most people complain about not being able to concentrate to actually start with the meditation. After reading some tips about how to decrease the trouble in your head before starting with the meditation and similar concentration practices on http://www.prosperity-inside.com things started to become more easy. But it takes time to really start though. I think the most important thing to start with it is: decide and will.

  • jitka mechanicka

    I like meditation. It helps along the anti-anxiety drugs to overcome the panic disorder.

  • http://beckyminx.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/how-meditation-improves-your-health-part-one-pickthebrain-motivation-and-self-improvement/ How Meditation Improves Your Health (Part One) | PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement « Becky’s Weblog

    [...] it out here:http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/meditation-health/ Tags: health, meditation, motivation, self [...]

  • http://www.rebelzen.com/2008/10/the-subtle-art-of-getting-jack-shit-done/ The Subtle Art of Getting Jack-Shit Done | Rebel Zen

    [...] I had two articles coming out, one about The Way of Retreat over at the Change Blog and another about meditation over at Pick The Brain. Next in line was the release of a new e-book here at Rebel Zen, not the [...]

  • http://www.themasterssecretkey.com/ Candace

    Meditation is a great way to find that space and relax.

  • http://www.tippblogger.de/linktipps-191008/ Linktipps, 19.10.08 : Tippblogger

    [...] the brain schreibt darüber, wie Meditation die Gesundheit fördert, in zwei Teilen: Teil 1 und Teil 2. Hilft angeblich insbesondere bei allen Stress-bezogenen Krankheiten (hätte man sich ja [...]

  • http://rebelzen.com Seamus Anthony

    Hope you enjoyed this article by moi! If you did here is another one by me called “How To Meditate While You Do Housework”.

    http://snurl.com/housewrkmed

  • http://www.the-fertility-acupuncturist.com The Fertility Acupuncturist

    Thanks for sharing this very approachable article on meditation. I find meditation very helpful for my fertility patients and find that they are usually able to relax on the treatment table longer if they’re listening to a meditation.

  • http://www.2knowmyself.com farouk

    i decided to start meditating soon, thank u:)

  • http://www.rebelzen.com/2008/10/how-to-get-high-without-drugs/ Seamus Anthony

    Yes, well all that meditation seemed to work for me in that area ;-)

  • http://www.rebelzen.com/2008/10/how-to-get-high-without-drugs/ Seamus Anthony

    Great – start now!

  • http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/meditation-health-benefits/ How Meditation Improves Your Health (Part Three) | PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement

    [...] – In case you missed them, here are Part One and Part Two of this “How Meditation Improves Your Health” series. (No Ratings Yet) [...]

  • http://www.rebelzen.com/2008/10/warning-meditation-is-like-totally-healthy-dude/ Warning: Meditation is like, Totally Healthy, Dude… | Rebel Zen

    [...] Meditation Article Part One [...]

  • http://ecanhappen.com/wordpress/05-12-2008/spiritual-development/process-of-meditation-ask-and-it-is-given/ All Is Within » Blog Archive » Process of Meditation: Ask and It is Given

    [...] How Meditation Improves Your Health (Part One) – Good western doctors know how meditation works to relax and heal. A recent survey of General Practitioners found that up to 80% of doctors had referred patients to practitioners of the three most popular Complementary Therapies – which … [...]

  • http://kathyberman.com/?p=2645 Meditation Helps You to Feel and Live Peace

    [...] How Meditation Improves Your Health (Part One) [...]

  • http://www.drleonharris.com/rhodeislandacupuncture Rhode Island Acupuncture

    Just love seeing these “what used to be fringe” ideas taking hold. Daily meditation and regular acupuncture treatments are key to staying healthy and stress free.

  • http://knittingrunningeating.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/wednesdays-wonderings/ Wednesday’s wonderings « Knitting Running Eating

    [...] Source [...]

  • http://blogellas.com/tecnicas-para-comenzar-una-buena-meditacion/ Técnicas para comenzar una buena meditación | Blog Ellas

    [...] Imagen: pickthebrain [...]

  • http://fitinthemidwest.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/de-stressing-what-works-for-me/ De-stressing–what works for me | Fit in the Midwest

    [...] source [...]

  • http://easywaystoloseweightreviewer.com/how-meditation-can-improve-your-health How Meditation Can Improve Your Health | EASYWAYTOLOSSWEIGHT

    [...] @@AMAZONWIDGET;meditation;195208011@@. Have you ever been stressed out and wondered if you should try meditating, but then laughed off the…ctice it regualrly. Consider the following medically proven health benefits of regular meditation. [...]