Practicing mindful meditation is proven to reduce stress and anxiety. But what’s the science behind it? Find out everything you need to know about how meditation reduces stress. In today’s article, I’ll discuss the effects of stress on the body and how meditation is the solution for effective stress management.
Meditation for Managing Stress
Keeping stress at bay can prove difficult for most of us. That’s because we go through ongoing challenges almost every day — from daily work-related problems to the issues we face at home. On top of that, we’re all experiencing added stress during the current health crisis due to COVID-19. And it isn’t helping our attempts to prevent the disease.
When you’re stressed, the body produces hormones that active your fight-or-flight response. These hormones are adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine. A surge in these hormones is quite helpful during stressful situations. But consistently high levels of these hormones can lead to:
Collectively, these conditions can destroy your health and leave you susceptible to illness. That’s why it’s important to keep stress under control. And according to science, meditation is an effective method to do so.
How Meditation Combats the Effects of Stress
Meditation promotes brain waves associated with deep calm, wakefulness, and relaxation. (1) As a result, you experience many healing effects as opposed to that of stress. Here’s what happens to your body when you meditate:
Reduced Stress Hormone Production
Mindfulness meditation decreases the levels of cortisol in the blood. (2) It can also increase serotonin levels in your body. Serotonin is the “Happy Hormone” — a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation.
Lowered Heart Rate
Stress makes your heart work harder than it should. That’s because chronic stress is linked to a faster heart rate — leading to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular problems. (3) On the other hand, meditation helps lower your heart rate. (4)
Efficient Oxygen Circulation
Strong feelings of stress and anxiety can affect your breathing, causing limited oxygen exchange. (5) In contrast, meditation requires deep breathing exercises that promote proper oxygen circulation. (6)
Decreased Inflammation
Intense chronic stress triggers an over-active immune response. This promotes inflammation — a usual sign of stress-related diseases. (7) On the other hand, meditating can reduce inflammation. (8)
Efficient Immune Function
A stressful lifestyle is one of the worst immune suppressants. It decreases immunity by interfering with the production and function of essential immune cells. (9) Inducing calmness and relaxation through regular meditation reduces stress and restores efficient immune function.
The Takeaway:
Some people believe that meditation is a waste of time. However, this can’t be farther from the truth. When you’re mind is at peace, stress is controlled, and your health improves. So please take some time off to breathe deeply, empty your mind, and enjoy a relaxing meditation session.
Start living a healthier life by keeping stress at bay!
Stress, insufficient sleep, and an unhealthy diet are some of the things that drag your immunity down. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep these from damaging your health. Please visit BoostYourImmuneSystem.com to know more.
