Image: How To Practice Transcendental Meditation . Org

With stress levels ever escalating,  what if I told you that just ONE health practice could alleviate stress, relieve depression and anxiety, improve self awareness, mindfulness, improve concentration and protect your heart and immune systems?  What about changing your BRAIN? 

Well here it is!

 According to a recent study this ONE FREE thing can!

Researchers from Harvard University and the University of Sienna found that the powers of meditation move beyond cultivating one's self-awareness, improvement of concentration and protection of the heart and immune system -- it can actually alter the physiology of the human brain. Consistent that is DAILY practice can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in people who often need it most.

In this new study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, the scientists selected 24 subjects who had never meditated before and guided them through an 8-week meditation course. Each participant completed a two-and-a-half hour session each week, where they learned about various components and styles of a meditation practice. Outside of the weekly session, they each meditated for 45 minutes daily.

Data gathered from the actual  MRIs of the participants conducted before and after the meditation program, along with psychological evaluations, revealed that the subjects experienced a thickening in the part of the brain responsible for emotions and perception. Such changes strengthen the body's physiological resilience against worry, anxiety and depression.

For the increasing number of us struggling with  overwhelming demands of our lives, reserving a little time each day to tune into ourselves might be a wonderful idea.  It takes a bit of prioritizing in an already-busy schedule, but the proven benefits are known to be well worth the effort.

I will be offering an 8 week Meditation for Beginners Class in the Fall after Labor Day.  If you are interested in receiving more information about the course, PLEASE contact me: doctaryn@aol.com for more information.  It will include materials for home practice.  Let us know.  Meanwhile, Visit my meditation room!