Dealing with Stress with Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditation is taking the world by storm. This meditation technique has quickly become popular worldwide and is even being used to reduce stress on Wall Street of all places.

What is transcendental meditation and how does it differ from other meditation techniques?

Transcendental meditation is a technique that challenges many preconceived notions about meditation. A common complaint people have of meditation is that they are unable to clear their minds for an extended period of time. If you identify with this complaint, then transcendental meditation may be for you.

Instead of requiring that participants clear their minds, transcendental meditation simply encourages participants to close their eyes and repeat a specific word, or mantra, for fifteen to twenty minutes. This method allows participants to center their mind around their mantra, while still allowing their thoughts to come and go. This technique requires much less effort than attempting to actively clear your mind for a lengthy period of time. People interested in transcendental meditation should work with an instructor to select a mantra that has been personalized to them.

What are the benefits of transcendental meditation?

There has been a significant amount of research conducted to determine the effectiveness of transcendental meditation, especially compared to other meditation techniques. Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone, and high levels can lead to anxiety, depression, sleeping difficulties, concentration problems, weight gain and many other health issues. A study published in Hormones and Behaviorfound that transcendental meditation is shown to reduce cortisol levels by 30%.

There is evidence that transcendental meditation is effective at reducing anxiety, blood pressure, cholesterol and even likelihood of cardiac arrest or stroke. This technique can be beneficial for improving both mental and physical health.

The need for transcendental meditation is greater than ever

We’re currently living in very stressful times, as the COVID-19 pandemic has had severe negative effects on mental health. Many people have reported increases in anxiety or depression due to the stress and isolation of this pandemic. Now more than ever, it is important that people are taking the proper steps to ensure mental wellbeing. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, transcendental meditation may lead to a reduction in your stress levels and improved mental health.

While the benefits of transcendental meditation have been researched and documented, it is important to remember that this technique should not be seen as a replacement for conventional medical care. Be sure to discuss with your doctor before implementing transcendental meditation as a treatment for any condition.