In the hustle and bustle of the Western world, meditation often finds itself relegated to the periphery, associated with yogis, hippies, and spiritual enthusiasts. When probing individuals about their meditation habits, the common refrain from non-practitioners I hear are phrases such as “it doesn’t work for me”, “I have tried but can’t empty my mind”, “I don’t have time” and the list goes on.
We all know mastery of any skill demands a consistent commitment to learning. From infancy to adulthood, every skill, including reading this article, was acquired through dedicated effort. So, why should the art of meditation be any different?
However, beyond the practicalities of developing the skill there is a far more significant implication of neglecting to adopt the practice. What if the key to well-being lies in a practice that has been honored for thousands of years? You see, the benefits of meditation extend far beyond fostering a calm demeanor.
At a cellular level, the practice influences the body in ways that go unnoticed by those unaware of its profound effects and in our fast paced modern lives, the magnitude of it’s value should not be overlooked.
STRESS, LIFE AND WHY WE NEED TO MEDITATE
Our thoughts are far more powerful than you think and where we place our focus has a direct correlation to our health. By auto-suggestion alone we can turn our fight or flight system on, which at first glance may be easily dismissed. However, when we do this we throw the human body out of homeostasis and expose our immune system to the risk of illness and disease.
So what does this really mean and how does meditation play a role?
Take stress as a case in point. In situations where stress remains unaddressed, the activation of the sympathetic nervous system triggers the body to prepare for potential danger. This chronic activation disrupts the delicate balance of the autonomic nervous system, leading to the production of chemicals designed to enhance alertness but, when sustained, can result in symptoms ranging from mental health issues to full-blown autoimmune diseases.
Harvard Medical School conducted an observational study, examining over 100,000 individuals diagnosed with stress-related disorders. The findings strongly suggested a correlation between stress-related disorders and the development of autoimmune diseases. This revelation underscores the urgency of addressing stress and its impact on overall health.
THE RESEARCH
To reset the balance, research indicates that the practice of meditation, particularly Transcendental Meditation, can reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, helps bring the body back to homeostasis, offering improvements in anxiety, stress response, mental health risk, cardiovascular function, and even substance relapse prevention.
Whether it’s Transcendental Meditation or any other form of mindfulness practice, there is a wealth of information with empirical data that supports the assertion, incorporating meditation into one’s routine is not merely a mystical endeavor. Meditation is a pragmatic approach to combat the stresses of life and maintain a harmonious connection between mind and body.
1 thought on “Why Meditation? Stress and our Health”
Thank you for your clarity on explaining the true meaning of meditating.