Regular Meditation Keeps Your Heart Healthy and Strong

Often, when people hear about meditation, they think about monks sitting for long hours doing it.

However, meditation is not like that. Of course, you can do it like a monk if you have that much time. But if you are a typical individual, you can do meditation in a much more convenient way while reaping the health benefits.

Previously, we’ve talked about the benefits of meditation on sex life. But that is just one of the many health benefits. Modern medicine is now starting to explore and embrace it.

In September 2017, the AHA published a scientific statement¹ about the benefit of meditation on cardiovascular risk reduction.

…considering the generally low costs and risks associated with meditation, meditation may be considered as a reasonable adjunct to guideline‐directed cardiovascular risk reduction by those so interested in this lifestyle modification.

https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.117.002218 Journal of the American Heart Association. 2017;6

Meditation Relieves Stress

Perhaps, one of the significant contributors to heart-related problems is stress. That is why doing a regular meditation practice can be helpful. Instead of taking anti-stress medication, practicing meditation can help relieve stress naturally.

A study² back in 2014, says that transcendental meditation is helpful in reducing stress.

Reviews to date report a small to moderate effect of mindfulness and mantra meditation techniques in reducing emotional symptoms (eg, anxiety, depression, and stress) and improving physical symptoms (eg, pain).

Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EMS, et al. Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357–368. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018

It is clear that a regular meditation practice can be helpful in many areas in life. Even some doctors are prescribing meditation to their patients with pains instead of taking opioids.

On the other hand, some people are doing regular meditation practice while lowering their opioid dosage. In addition, meditation practice has many health benefits with regular practice.

Study says that meditation can reduce the risk of sickness. Check it out with The Doctors.

Getting On A Meditation Practice

Meditation is a simple practice. However, during the initial stage, it can be difficult. However, once you get into the habit, you can even meditate while walking.

If you are really interested in into meditation practice as it will be helpful in the long run, two things you need to consider.

First, you can check your area if there are any meditation practitioners around. If you can find doctors or medical professionals practicing meditation, consult with them.

Because meditation is easy, but if it is your first time, you’ll get confused. However, the first thing you should recognize is that you will not be sitting for long hours to do meditation.

For starters, a 5 to 10 minutes of daily meditation practice is a good start.

Second, if you can’t find any meditation practitioners in your area, read books or audiobooks that teach how to meditate. You can even go to YouTube, and there you will find a lot of instructional meditation for beginners.

If you ask me which book should you start reading, read Jyotish Novak’s How to Meditate: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Art and Science of Meditation.

You can buy the book on Amazon in either Paperback or Kindle version.

Combining Meditation With Health Lifestyle Practices

Here is one thing to keep in mind. While meditation is a helpful practice not just for heart health but overall health and well-being, doing it alone is not enough.

To achieve and restore good health, meditation must combine with healthy lifestyle practices. Meditation alone cannot solve all health issues.

For instance, having a regular meditation practice while depriving yourself of sleep, alcohol consumption, smoking and eating unhealthy diet will not make you healthy.

Instead, practice meditation along with a healthy diet, regular exercise including yoga, walking, running, or any active physical activity.

Healthy dietary changes are significant when it comes to health and wellness. And, of course, meditation practice also helpful in coping with worry.