Meditation...fad, fiction or fact - by Lorraine Murray

Meditation may appear to be something that only the rich, famous or religious can do, but a new wave of research demonstrates that there are real, tangible health benefits if practised regularly.

Medical research across the world is beginning to awaken to the possibility that regular practise of meditation; relaxation and visualisation techniques can help to reduce the stress hormones in our blood that influence our long-term health and well-being.

How does it Work?

A simple explanation of what causes stress is the work of our adrenal glands, which produce adrenalin when we feel under threat of attack. Most people will have heard about the fight or flight response where a person finds that they are able to move away more quickly or discover new depths of strength when faced with danger. It's a mechanism that has existed since the eons of time and has helped the human species survive.

However if a person perceives a threat, real or imagined, over a long period of time then the adrenal glands go into 'overdrive' and start producing Cortisol to maintain this high response state and this is where our problems can begin. One effect of Cortisol is that it can affect a part of the brain which makes it more difficult for us to recall information - so if you find yourself wondering why you can never find your keys/glasses or the word your looking for - don't just put it down to forgetfulness - perhaps you are more stressed than you realise.

Lorraine Murray from Feel Good Therapies explains

" this is just one of the symptoms and it feels a bit like the filing clerk for all your thoughts has gone on holiday so nothing gets done. Another effect is insomnia or broken sleep patterns."

Lorraine has been working with different groups teaching meditation and visualisation techniques to help them find a way to deal with stress.

"I've been working around schools in Edinburgh, mainly with teachers, and also at Maggie's Centre for Cancer. There is a gathering amount of evidence to suggest that the more we practice these techniques, our body responds by reducing the levels of Cortisol in our blood stream. It can be quite a self empowering step to learn these methods and many people find that it enables them to manage and accept change in their lives, often situations that are responsible for higher levels of stress."

Benefits

The benefits of regular practice of meditation and relaxation exercises are now being realised and researched by the medical profession. Some of these benefits may include:

• feeling calmer and happier
• helping reverse heart disease
• helping reduce muscular tension
• helping to lower high blood pressure
• helping increase blood circulation to digestive system, skin and brain
• helping increase energy levels
• helping to reduce sleep problems
• helping to reduce the aging process by affecting the hormone system!
• boosting self esteem
• helping to stimulate and strengthen immune system
• helping to open constricted air passages - good for asthma
• helps with migraine, hypertension and recovery after illness
• helping with ability to focus and concentrate

So are we simply discovering something that the Yogis and Buddhists have known for years? It appears that these techniques don't require a religious following to benefit from the results. Lorraine also offers meditation CDs, mp3 downloads (for all ages) and meditation classes in Edinburgh. Please visit Feel Good Therapies for further information.