Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

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Effect of Meditation on Parameters Related to Stress


Affiliations
1 Dept. of Physiology, J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, India
2 Department of Physiology, KIMS, Hubli, Karnataka, India
     

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Every one experiences stress because of our modern life style. Meditation is the best effortless relaxation technique which is easy to learn and practice in daily life. Regular practice of meditation is highly beneficial and effective in reduction of stress. Most of the studies on effect of meditation have been coupled invariably with practice of set of asanas and kriyas. This study differs from others as we have tried to find effects of meditation alone in Sukhasana posture only, on parameters related to stress in healthy young medical students. Resting heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and anxiety scores were recorded before meditation training and practice and after a period of meditation training and practice and the results were compared. The resting heart rate in post-meditation period was significantly lower than premeditation readings (p<0.001). The decrease in Diastolic Blood Pressure in the post-meditation period was statistically significant (p<0.05). The decrease in respiratory rate after meditation practice was statistically significant (p<0.001). The values of Anxiety scores showed statistically significant decrease after 12 weeks of meditation practice (p<0.02). After 12 weeks of meditation practice there was significant reduction in stress related parameters. Hence meditation practice modulates stress response and modifies one's attitude towards stress. Regular practice of meditation is highly beneficial in reduction of stress and to keep good health.

Keywords

Meditation, Stress, STAI, Anxiety, Sukhasana
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  • Effect of Meditation on Parameters Related to Stress

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Authors

R. N. Raichur
Dept. of Physiology, J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, India
S. B. Kulkarni
Department of Physiology, KIMS, Hubli, Karnataka, India
R. R. Rahul
Dept. of Physiology, J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, India
G. B. Aruna
Dept. of Physiology, J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, India

Abstract


Every one experiences stress because of our modern life style. Meditation is the best effortless relaxation technique which is easy to learn and practice in daily life. Regular practice of meditation is highly beneficial and effective in reduction of stress. Most of the studies on effect of meditation have been coupled invariably with practice of set of asanas and kriyas. This study differs from others as we have tried to find effects of meditation alone in Sukhasana posture only, on parameters related to stress in healthy young medical students. Resting heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and anxiety scores were recorded before meditation training and practice and after a period of meditation training and practice and the results were compared. The resting heart rate in post-meditation period was significantly lower than premeditation readings (p<0.001). The decrease in Diastolic Blood Pressure in the post-meditation period was statistically significant (p<0.05). The decrease in respiratory rate after meditation practice was statistically significant (p<0.001). The values of Anxiety scores showed statistically significant decrease after 12 weeks of meditation practice (p<0.02). After 12 weeks of meditation practice there was significant reduction in stress related parameters. Hence meditation practice modulates stress response and modifies one's attitude towards stress. Regular practice of meditation is highly beneficial in reduction of stress and to keep good health.

Keywords


Meditation, Stress, STAI, Anxiety, Sukhasana

References