Human bodies automatically react in many ways when it undergoes stress all through the day. This physical response is very useful in some extreme conditions. But continuous state of agitation can give physical damage to human body parts. In contrast, meditation works exactly opposite way. It restoring the body to a calm state and help the body to do self repairing.
By practising meditation, hear rate and breathing slows down and that normalizes blood pressure. Human body gets more oxygen with less sweat. In turn adrenal glands releases very less cortisol and mind ages at a slower rate. Top of all, immunity function improves. By meditating regularly, it is very easy to get rid of health-damaging habits like smoking, drugs and drinking.
How it works?
Meditation involves sitting in a relaxed position and clearing your mind. You may focus on a sound, like "ooommm," or on your own breathing, or on nothing at all. It’s necessary to have 5-20 distraction-free minutes to spend. It’s helpful to have silence and privacy, but more practiced meditators can do it anywhere. Many practitioners of meditation attach a spiritual component to it, but it can also be a secular exercise.
Pros and cons:
Meditation is wonderful in that it’s free, always available, and amazingly effective in short-term stress reduction and long-term health. Benefits can be felt in just one session. An experienced teacher isn’t necessary; you can learn to meditate from a book or from the resources on this site.
It does take some practice, however, and some people find it difficult to "get it" in the beginning. It also requires a little patience, and may be difficult for people with little free time (like some stay-at-home mothers who get little privacy from small children). However, the time and effort it takes to learn and practice is well worth it in terms of the benefits it provides.
Good one comparing to other stress busting methods:
Unlike some medications and herbal therapies, meditation has no potential side effects. People with physical limitations may find it easier to practice than strenuous physical exercise for stress relief, plus, no special equipment is required. Unlike enlisting the help of a professional, meditation is free. However, it does take discipline and commitment, so some people may find it more difficult to maintain as a habit than methods that enlist the help of someone or something outside themselves for added motivation. Also, some people may find it more difficult to free their minds of the thoughts of the day, and thus find it more difficult than methods like journaling that involve focusing on these events, or methods that in themselves are distracting, like physical exercise or the use of humor.
