Transcendental Meditation – an Effective Treatment for Anxiety Disorder
We all get anxious sometimes. But some people experience severe anxiety issues frequently, leading to problems in their everyday life and health. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available, and one of which is relaxation therapy. Now, a study review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggests that transcendental meditation works better than other relaxation techniques.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a long-term condition that causes a person to feel anxious about a wide range of issues and situations, rather than one specific event. According to the NHS, around one in 20 Britons has GAD. It is also more common in women than men. Aside from intense anxiety, people with this condition experience other physical and psychological symptoms such as discomfort, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, impatience, a sense of dread, muscle aches and tension, nausea, excessive sweating and upset stomach.
Transcendental meditation provides long-term benefits
The meta-analysis, carried out by scientists from Georgia Regents University, involved 16 trials and 1,295 participants who have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder. The researchers found that participants with anxiety levels in the 80th to 100th percentile range who practised transcendental meditation reduced their anxiety symptoms by 53rd–62nd percentile range, which is almost 50 per cent. More importantly, even though the reduction in symptoms only began after two weeks of practice, the effects lasted for three years.
Not only that, the researchers found that transcendental meditation benefited participants in other ways – lower blood pressure, better sleep, improved family life, less substance abuse and a better employment situation.
Transcendental meditation (TM) is one of the most popular meditation programmes at present, and is known to be effective in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. This practice was introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1958. TM is a relatively easy technique that doesn’t always require a class, although getting an instructor is recommended. This meditation technique is practised for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day.
Source of this article:
©Copyright 2013 by http://www.naturaltherapyforall.com Counselling Reading All Rights Reserved.