Meditation and Stress Relief

Stress is the primary cause of many diseases and disorders in this high tech age, yet there is no medication for stress. Meditation is a good technique for relieving stress. The practice which does not require any mental or physical control is enjoyable and pleasurable. Many diseases and disorders can be prevented or cured simply by relieving or reducing the burdens of stress in your daily life. In olden days, the original purpose of meditation was to attain a higher level of consciousness and gain a deeper understanding of the mystical forces of life; however, meditation is now commonly and effectively utilized for relaxation, stress management, and disease prevention. Persistence practice of meditation counters the effects of chronic stress, and prevents or helps heal stress-induced disorders. Meditation has a direct impact on the physiological pathways that are involved in stress response. By inducing the “relaxation response” meditation reduces the stress level encountered by your body by decreasing the levels of the major stress hormone called cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by two small glands located adjacent to the kidneys known as adrenal glands. Mediation reduces stress, relaxes the mind and body, and improves overall health and physical well-being. The meditation experience is an incredible stress-buster. Because drugs cannot effectively reduce human stress levels, meditation is a credible and effective approach for reducing the high stress levels encountered by most people in this ever-busy, computerized high-tech age, devoid of real human interactions. In addition to stress reduction, medical meditation can also be used to prevent stress-associated conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, tension headaches, immune deficiencies, depression, panic disorders, and many other ailments. Meditation is a health-promoting technique practiced and perfected by ancient mystics and yogis. Medical meditation is now gaining acceptance by modern medical science. Because of its recognized rejuvenating and healing powers, meditation now serves as a complementary medical approach for the promotion of good health and prevention of stress-induced disorders and diseases. To better utilize the practice of medical meditation as a modern scientific technique for disease prevention and healing, a better understanding and sound knowledge of the role of meditation in stress management is warranted. This will enable open-minded men and women with scientific knowledge and expertise to develop and create effective action plans for stress management, and the prevention or treatment of stress-induced diseases.