The deleterious effects of stress on health have already been demonstrated time and time again. People affected by chronic stress or anxiety are more at risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems because of their constantly high heart rate, high blood pressure and overexposure to cortisol (stress hormone).
A news study published on July 10, 2023 may have just found the solution for reduce symptoms related to stress and anxiety. Produced by researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK), it encourages the practice of mindfulness meditation.
Program participants would have improved their condition for 6 monthsregardless of age, gender and level of education.
What is mindfulness meditation?
This practice is used to combat anxiety and depression. It consists of focus on the present moment giving it deliberate, non-judgmental attention. This helps develop a better awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, which can help reduce anxiety and depression.
Concretely, it is a question of bringing one’s attention to the present moment, the “here and now”, in a conscious and present way. The idea is to no longer act automatically. Mindfulness allows you to cycle through thoughts and emotions without fighting them, accepting them with benevolence. We can focus on a thought, an object, a physical sensation or the breath.
Meditation can benefit everyone
The study was conducted on 2,371 adults with a median age of 34 years. They first participated in trials to assess the effectiveness of this practice. Half of them were invited to follow complementary programs that lasted eight weeksat the rate of one or two sessions per week.
Mindfulness meditation programs reduced symptoms of stress and anxiety in participants on average for at least six months after completing the programs.
A study that also shows the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation sessions regardless of age, gender, level of education and willingness to practice it. According to researchers, it can help people with depression and chronic anxiety but it can also be useful to the rest of the population to maintain mental health.
