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Mindfulness Meditation Makes Us Healthier, Says Study

Meditation Helps Boost Immune System And Lower Str

The Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 2/11/2011 14:58 Updated: 2/01/2012 09:12

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Those who meditate regularly have lower stress levels and blood pressure and stronger immune function and brainpower than those who don't - and now, new research reveals why.

According to the study by Harvard University and Justus Liebig University, the four key components of mindfulness meditation help us deal with stress, which consequently lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system.

These are attention regulation, body awareness, emotion regulation and sense of self - all things that experts believe contribute towards a healthy immune system and enhanced cognitive function.

"Understanding the relationships between these components, and the brain mechanisms that underlie them, will allow clinicians to better tailor mindfulness interventions for their patients," says Dr Britta Hazel from the study, published in the Perspectives on Psychological Science journal.

The team hope further research on the benefits of meditation will be prompted by these findings, as they believe it could, "change both in psychotherapy and in everyday life".

Don't know your mindfulness from your transcendental meditation? Life coach, Sophia Davis explains the basics...

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"Transcendental Meditation was launched into the spotlight a few years back when various celebrities started using it. It has been claimed as one of the most effective ways to combat stress, and in only 10 minutes a day can change the way you feel physically and emotionally in just 8 weeks. Transcendental works on the basis that you don't have to shut off your thoughts, so its perfect if you have an overactive mind.
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Those who meditate regularly have lower stress levels and blood pressure and stronger immune function and brainpower than those who don't - and now, new research reveals why. According to the study...
Those who meditate regularly have lower stress levels and blood pressure and stronger immune function and brainpower than those who don't - and now, new research reveals why. According to the study...
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Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.: Adjusting Your Default Setting Nancy Colier Nancy Colier: Why Meditate? Ed and Deb Shapiro Ed and Deb Shapiro: Meditation: The Pearl in the Oyster Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW: Portkeys to Inner Peace: 5 Doorways to Serenity Rick Hanson, Ph.D. Rick Hanson, Ph.D.: Step Into The Cloud Rabbi Alan Lurie Rabbi Alan Lurie: Work as a Spiritual Gymnasium Michael Stanclift, N.D. Michael Stanclift, N.D.: Understanding Meditation: How Attention Changes Our Brains Andrew Z. Cohen Andrew Z. Cohen: Meditation Is a Metaphor for Enlightenment Elizabeth Cunningham Elizabeth Cunningham: Longing for Silence and Solitude Andrew Z. Cohen Andrew Z. Cohen: A Longing to Evolve Russell Bishop Russell Bishop: Soul-Talk: What Can You Do With All That Upset?
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.: Adjusting Your Default Setting

What is unfolding when nothing much of anything is going on with you? I encourage you to check out for yourself what is going on at such times. For most of us, usually it is thinking. Thinking is going on. It takes lots of different forms.

 
 
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tlc-ji
82 Fans
 
09:32 PM on 11/06/2011
TM is amazing! My 20 minute practice twice a day has brought so much more calm and well being to my life and I felt the effects right away, the day I learned it. Highly recommend it!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Steven Barnes
Author, life coach, martial artist
628 Fans
 
01:34 AM on 11/03/2011
Anahata meditation as taught by Sri Chinmoy was the single greatest gift I ever received. Incredibly simple and powerful: "just" listen to your heartbeat 15-20 minutes a day. You will need to become very quiet to feel the movement of your pulse. If this is difficult, actually touch your pulse-point with your fingers. A wonderful practice.

http://tiny.cc/cxsz5
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Aslan06
65 Fans
06:01 PM on 11/02/2011
I think all the celebrities started TM because so many "regular people" have been enjoying it since the late 1950's. (That's when the TM founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, started traveling and teaching.) But of course celebs do attract the spotlight! Just a clarification though, children meditate for 10 minutes but most adults do TM for 20 minutes. When I learned TM I felt better right way, it didn't take 8 weeks.
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Glory Dog
115 Fans
01:01 AM on 11/03/2011
Also, it doesn't take "8 weeks" to start getting results with TM -- most people, like myself, started getting benefits from day 1.
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SBrooksB
113 Fans
03:28 AM on 11/03/2011
An aside....

Every HuffPo article about meditation uses stock photos of lithe models sitting in the lotus position with their hands in a mudra. I'm sure this discourages some people who, not knowing better, assume one has to be fit and flexible in order to meditate.

Not so. Meditation can be done while sitting very comfortably in a chair, hands relaxed, and feet on the floor. That is, in fact, how the basic TM technique is taught, making it an ideal practice for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes.

TM is a cinch, and anyone can do it!
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Cloball
Dog eat (whip cream) dog world...
396 Fans
11:27 AM on 11/03/2011
Agree. They need to stop showing that photo. TM doesn't have you hold your hands in that position. You can even sit in bed, as long as you don't lay down.
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