Meditation Reduces Stress And Improves Mental & Physical Health

A program that taught meditation skills may help people reduce the effects (both psychological and physical) of high stress, according to a new study published in the 7/1 issue of the American Journa of Health Promotion.

They found that the 35 participants who underwent "mindfulness training" experienced an average 54% reduction in psychological distress from the beginning of the proram to three months later. The 27 control subjects still available at the three-month follow-up had no significant reduction in this measure.

The trainees also reported a 46% drop in medica symptoms over the 3-month follow-up, compared with an increase seen in the control group.

Participants learned four methods of meditation, general yoga postures and other techniques for coing with stress, as well as how to apply these techniques to their lives.

"The purpose of mindfulness training is for participants to gain greater insight into their perceptions, reactionsand behaviors in life situations. Through the practice of mindfulness, subjects are taught to consciously respond to stressful situations in their daily life," said the researchers.

The Botom Line:

Dissipating accumulated stress, whether through meditation or exercise, has proven to have health enhancing benefits.

The chiropractic adjustment is another means of easly reducing nervous system tension and stress and that is why we advocate regular chiropractic care as part of anyone's health development program. Start developing strategies today to reduce your sress tomorrow.