Advantages of Meditation Although there are many definitions and types of meditation, the many advantages the practice of meditation offers are undeniable. Proponents of meditation have long touted the benefits of practicing meditation for only minutes each day, for everything from relieving cramps, to slowing down the aging process. The practice of meditation is centuries old, originating in Asian countries. Today, it continues to grow in popularity in western civilization as a way of healing the body and mind. As more people turn to the practice of meditation to enjoy its many benefits, more health care professionals are taking an interest in attaining meditation certification so that they can give their patients the advantages that come along with its practice. Some of the advantages of meditation include: 1. While most of us know that meditation is said to be “relaxing,” it goes much further than that. By reducing stress, it also helps prevent and aids in treating stress-related health conditions, such as heart disease and hypertension. According to WebMD, reducing stress can also have an impact on a couple’s fertility. New evidence shows that stress may play a role in as many as 30% of fertility problems.¹ 2. Meditation is used as a psychological therapy to help treat pain. While pain therapists treat meditation as one of the mainstream therapies for their patients, other health professionals may obtain their meditation certification online, in order to use meditation as a complementary treatment. The combination of techniques used to quiet the mind while relaxing the body have proven effective for many people. 3. Many people have gained confidence as a result of practicing meditation, making it easier for them to handle problems that arise during work or in their private lives. 4. Reducing stress and building confidence will cause you to have a better outlook on life, even for those people who normally suffer from health conditions that cause pain, depression and other symptoms, along with limitations on their abilities. According to a study posted in the journal Neurology, people with mild to moderate multiple schlerosis who participated in an eight-week class of mindfulness meditation showed a 30% reduction in depression along with a reduction in fatigue.² 5. Hot flashes are one of the most frustrating and uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Evidence supports the idea that using the relaxation therapy of meditation can minimize the discomfort of menopause. 6. Meditation improves concentration and memory, resulting in a person who is much more effective at performing complex thought and being more productive.² While proponents for meditation need no proof that the connection between the practice and improvements in psychological and physiological functions is real, scientists from Harvard Medical School have performed a study using neuro-imaging and genomics technology to prove a solid link to the biology of meditation. Researchers hope that this evidence will convince more doctors to incorporate meditation into their practices, as both a complementary and alternative treatment, where appropriate.³
While there are many known advantages to meditation, it is important to note that it does not take the place of traditional therapy for many types of health conditions. Instead, certified professionals can use their skills to enhance patient treatment, and reduce or eliminate the need for medications that can make some conditions worse or produce adverse side effects. The American Institute of Health Care Professionals (AIHCP) offers meditation instructor certification online for health care professionals who want to add another level of care to their practice. For more information, please visit us at www.aihcp.org.