Health benefits of Meditation

Though meditation is usually recognized as a largely spiritual practice, it also has many health benefits;

Some benefits of meditation are:

1. It lowers oxygen consumption.
2. It decreases respiratory rate.
3. It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
4. Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
5. Leads to a deeper level of relaxation.
6. Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal.
7. Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
8. Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
9. Builds self-confidence.
10. It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.
11. Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis, etc.
12. Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.
13. Helps in post-operative healing.
14. Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
15. Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.