CHICAGO: A recent study published in the Permanente Journal has found that regular doses of meditation might prevent work-related stress and burnout. The study examined teachers and support staff working at a therapeutic school for students with severe behavioral problems.
Permanente Journal is a peer-reviewed journal of medical science, social science and medical humanities, being published from Portland Oregon in USA.
A random selection of the employees took Transcendental Meditation (TM) courses that were provided by certified instructors. Typically, this type or meditation involves a person sitting with his/her eyes closed for 20 minutes, twice a day and were asked to think about a specific mantra or sound.
Eighty percent of Americans are stressed out by their jobs, according to a recent survey by an Illinois based Everest College. The survey also showed a 10 percent increase from the previous year.
Multiple factors, it is said, have contributed to this increased level of stress. Among some of the important factors are – troubled economy, the budget cuts, layoffs and longer hours. All these factors can lead to poor compensation, an overwhelming workload and a struggle to find work-life balance, experts say.
The question that is often posed is with so many employed Americans stressed out, is there anything they can do to relieve their anxiety? Transcendental Meditation (TM) is touted to help reduce or relieve the stress.
Before starting the courses, they were asked questions to assess their stress level, depression and burnout. Four months later, the same questions were asked.
Examination of the data showed that after four months, the stress levels among participants fell from 39 to 34 on a 40-point scale. According to the study authors, the participants who meditated reported that they felt less stressed and more energetic within only a few days. For those who didn’t take the meditation courses, their stress levels rose two points during the same time period.
“Stress from work can affect employee’s mental and physical health,” says Lori Lovell-Knouse, director of the Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center in Downers Grove, Ill. “Meditation is a great way to cope with the day-to-day pressure.”
Lovell-Knouse says that using meditation as a relaxation technique can release stress that has accumulated in the system and can also prevent stress from getting into the system. Additionally, she says meditation has been known to lower high blood pressure and decrease tension-related pain.
“If you can’t commit to 20 minutes twice a day, try 20 minutes once a day as a start,” Lovell-Knouse says. “You may start noticing that giving your mind some time to rest helps you feel peaceful overall.”
Stress makes one anxious, tense and worried. Trying meditation by spending even a few minutes can restore your calm and inner peace. When practicing meditation, heart rate and breathing slow down, your blood pressure normalizes, you use oxygen more efficiently, and you sweat less.
Your adrenal glands produce less cortisol, your mind ages at a slower rate, and your immune function improves. Your mind also clears and your creativity increases. People who meditate regularly find it easier to give up life-damaging habits like smoking, drinking and drugs. Meditation research has shown promising results.
Anyone can practice meditation. It’s simple and inexpensive, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. And one can practice meditation wherever you are – whether you’re out for a walk, riding the bus, waiting at the doctor’s office or even in the middle of a difficult business meeting.
India Post News Service
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
