Meditation is not new; its roots are in ancient history. Tibetan monks meditate for hours upon hours each week; their practice dates back to the 7th Century. It is a key part of Hindu, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions.
After eight weeks of practice, those in the treatment group had a greater antibody response to a flu vaccine!
It wasn't until the 1970s that mindfulness meditation was introduced to the west by a cognitive scientist called Jon Kabat Zinn. Since then there have been more than 8,000 studies involving mindful meditation, which have pointed to some remarkable effects.
Research has found that taking some time each day to focus on your breath and check in with your body can improve working memory, and even change the structure and function of your brain. It can reduce stress levels and alter your immune system – and you don't need to be a long-term or expert meditator to see positive effects.
Mind power
One study found that less than two months of meditation could alter the participants’ immune response for the better. After eight weeks of practice, those in the treatment group had a greater antibody response to a flu vaccine!
So how can a practice that seems to be just about the mind have such an impact on your body and immune system? A reduction in stress is key.
Straight to the source
The amygdala is a structure in your brain that can initiate your fight or flight response. Under stress, it can trigger your body to produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, which can dull your immune system. Amazingly, studies have shown that meditation can completely re-shape and change this entire process!
One study found that with just eight weeks of meditation, the amygdala gets smaller – great news for stress relief! It can also lead to long-lasting changes in how your brain works, including how it controls your pain, memory and attention.
