"Study: Meditation Reduces Depression Symptoms" The Herald - April 11, 2010
Summary: A new study suggests that Transcendental Meditation can be an effective way to decrease the symptoms of depression. Two studies were done to compare months of Transcendental Meditation practice with health education(used as the control). Transcendental Meditation helps people to achieve a relaxed state through use of a mantra done for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day. Depression was measured at the start, 3 months, 9 months, and 12 months later. In both studies the groups who did Transcendental Meditation had a greater reduction in symptoms of depression than the control groups. Researchers think that meditation may trigger a change in the body's chemistry affecting levels of serotonin, resulting in better reactions to environmental stress.
Application: This article relates to chapter 14: mood disorders. Major Depression is a severe depression that comes on suddenly and seems to have no external cause. People suffering from this are depressed for most of every day, feel tired, have trouble sleeping, experience changes in appetite and weight, have trouble concentrating and may have thoughts of death or suicide. It also relates to chapter 11: meditation as a coping mechanism. Meditation is a mental series of exercises meant to refocus attention and achieve a trancelike state of consciousness.
I believe that meditation can be a form of stress relief and can help with depression.I always take time out during the day to meditate or exercise to excape the stresses of the day. Thanks for the tips
ReplyDeleteI agree that meditation can reduce depression. When I feel stressed and depressed I go to a quiet place alone and relax and meditate. I am glad to know there are studies being conducted on meditation.
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