Posts Tagged ‘benefits of meditation’

The benefits of meditation for the elderly are bountiful

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Many elderly people are in need of practices that benefit the mind and body. This presents issues for some who do not have the ability to engage in rigorous exercise or want to avoid taking prescription medications.

Luckily, there are many benefits of meditation for the elderly, not least of which that the holistic practice has been shown to have positive mental and physical effects.

This kind of holistic health care has been used for centuries by individuals of all ages to strengthen the self through weeding negative thoughts from the mind. In doing so, people are able to achieve a more positive way of thinking, which has been shown to significantly reduce stress, a main trigger of health issues for many people.

Since senior citizens often experience mental anguish due to physical ills and the loss of family members and friends, this kind of holistic health care may be much needed in nursing homes and hospice care facilities.

Elderly individuals who are having a difficult time coping with old age, as well as those who want to ensure healthy aging, should consider using meditation to strengthen the body, mind and spirit.

 

Discover the benefits of meditation when stressed

Friday, January 13th, 2012

 

Too often, when people are feeling stressed out, they turn to drugs, alcohol or other unhealthy behaviors in order to temporarily release tension. Not only are these harmful substances ineffective, but they are also known to cause bodily damage and exacerbate mental conditions in the long run.

As a result, the benefits of meditation when stressed should be touted by employers, teachers and healthcare providers.

Meditation is a mind-body practice in which an individual simply sits in a comfortable position with eyes closed or relaxed on a soothing image and attempts to slow or even stop their thought process. The exercise has been shown to potentially lead to a lower pain response, heightened consciousness and a strengthened immune system.

The scientific benefits of meditation have been supported in several clinical trials. This is great news, as the research has lead to a number of healthcare providers recommending the practice to individuals who do not wish to take pharmaceuticals.

Considering that meditation requires no equipment and has no side effects or risks, it may be worth giving it a try to see how it affects stress levels.

The benefits of meditation when stressed are plentiful

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Meditation allows the practitioner to clear their mind of all stressful, hateful thoughts, ideas and memories. Attaining a clutter-free brain may be the key to living a life free of negativity.

The benefits of meditation when stressed cannot be overstated. Chronic anxiety is thought to be the root of a host of illnesses, from those that affect the mind to conditions of the body.

In order to practice meditation, simply sit or lie down with your eyes closed and focus on your breathing. When a thought enters your mind, acknowledge it but do not judge it, allowing your consciousness to rise above the petty idea. Continue to focus on the breath as it passes the tip of your nose until you feel that your practice has ended.

The scientific benefits of meditation continue to be uncovered in clinical studies. More and more each day, the medical and holistic healing community is convinced that regular meditation may help a person overcome mental anguish, as well as improve their physical health.

Exercise shown to be effective holistic health care for migraines

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Many individuals turn to prescription or over-the-counter drugs to alleviate their migraine pain. However, researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have found that exercise and relaxation techniques may be just as effective.

In a study, a team of scientists compared the outcomes of three groups of women over a three-month trial. One group exercised for three 40-minute sessions per week, another practiced relaxation methods and a third was prescribed a pharmaceutical to treat migraines.

At the end of the study period, all three groups of women experienced significant alleviations in their pain and improvements in their quality of life.

"Our conclusion is that exercise can act as an alternative to relaxation techniques and topiramate when it comes to preventing migraines, and is particularly appropriate for patients who are unwilling or unable to take preventative medicines," said lead author Emma Varkey.

Author and trailblazer Ilchi Lee believes that the best holistic health care involves exercise and a healthy diet, since these are key components to overall wellness. Additionally, he stresses the benefits of meditation and yoga, which are known to align the body and mind.

Need for whole brain education may be greater now than ever before

Monday, September 26th, 2011

It's easy to see how people these days can experience ill mental health, considering the prevalence of alcohol and drug use, mind-numbing entertainment on television and the general distractions that can get in the way of a clear, pure thought process.

Perhaps as a result of these negative influences, researchers have found that the number of non-elderly people reporting mental health disability has been higher in recent years than the rates recorded for the late 1990s.

In a study, scientists from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that an estimated 2.7 percent of people were on mental health disability from 2007 through 2009, compared to 2 percent of individuals from 1997 through 1999. This equates to an increase of nearly one half, which researchers said amounts to an additional 2 million people.

"These findings highlight the need for improved access to mental health services in our communities and for better integration of these services with primary care delivery," said lead author Ramin Mojtabai, M.D., Ph.D. "While the trend in self-reported mental health disability is clear, the causes of this trend are not well understood."

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes that whole brain education techniques may help people strengthen their minds, embracing the positive and eliminating the negative. Lee says that many of today's mental illnesses stem from an inundation of superficial or harmful stimuli, but that there are many ways in which people can cleanse their minds.

For instance, the benefits of engaging in meditation when stressed are well-documented. Studies have shown that the practice is effective at helping people gain a sense of clarity in a world full of distractions.

Music may be holistic health care for cancer patients

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

There's no question that listening to music can do wonders in improving a person's mood. Hearing a familiar tune can inspire spontaneous singing and dancing, and it's difficult to stay sad while doing these things.

Now, researchers at Philadelphia's Drexel University reported that the power of music may even be strong enough to lift the spirits of individuals going through cancer treatment.

A team of scientists reviewed 30 trials that examined the healing ability of song. The study revealed that music can significantly relieve anxiety, improve quality of life, lift mood and alleviate pain. Moreover, the researchers also observed a positive impact on cardiovascular and lung function.

"The evidence suggests that music interventions may be useful as a complementary treatment to people with cancer," said lead researcher Joke Bradt. "Music interventions provided by trained music therapists as well as listening to pre-recorded music both have shown positive outcomes in this review."

Flutist and trailblazer Ilchi Lee recommends non-pharmaceutical interventions for practicing holistic health. Additionally, he says that music is one of the healthiest forms of entertainment and that it has the power to soothe the body, mind and spirit.

Lee also recommends that individuals experience the benefits of meditation and yoga in order to achieve wellness without an invasive procedure or drugs. These holistic health methods have been shown to significantly improve a person's mental abilities, which may also strengthen the physical self and prevent disease.

Too often, people turn to medications to help them feel better. But sadly, these drugs can have side effects and leave individuals feeling worse of than they would without the pharmaceuticals.

Elderly individuals should favor holistic health care to alleviate depression

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

Often, when people get older they begin to experience difficulties in their mental health and are subsequently prescribed antidepressants to help alleviate depressive symptoms. However, such pharmaceuticals may actually be doing more harm than good.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase the risk of stroke, falls, fractures and epilepsy for people 65 and older.

"This was an unexpected finding, and so further research using other data sources is needed to confirm these findings as well as provide more evidence on the benefits of different antidepressants in this group of people," said researcher Carol Coupland.

Authors of the study said SSRIs are commonly used among older adults, so the finding may be of significance to a large segment of the population.

The results of the research also point to a greater need for best holistic health practices, especially for older individuals who want to improve their minds. Cognitive decline among these individuals has been extensively studied in past years because of the great detrimental effect it can have on the quality of life of those who experience it.

In fact, the scientific benefits of meditation are well documented. Extensive research has shown that meditation – the act of focusing on the present moment while pushing out negative thoughts and energy – can make a big difference in alleviating anxiety, feelings of depression and helping to clear the mind of negativity.

Additionally, meditation has been shown to have physical effects. Calming the mind may improve cardiovascular function, boost the metabolism and keep blood pressure at a normal level.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes in holistic approaches to wellness as alternative to harmful pharmaceuticals and invasive procedures.