Meditation has a reputation for several health benefits but here are the top eight reasons establishing a regular meditation routine can improve your overall health and wellbeing.

But first, what is meditation? It is defined as the regular process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts.

Stress Buster

Research proves that meditation can really be a stress reducer. Too much stress in your life can cause sleep issues, depression, anxiety, and even high blood pressure. An 8-week study published in 2013 found that “mindfulness meditation” actually reduced the inflammatory response caused by too much stress.

Reduce Anxiety

As mentioned previously, as stress levels decrease, so does anxiety. A 2014 study examined the transcendental meditation technique and found that it reduced anxiety significantly.
Additional research has found that a variety of techniques can reduce anxiety levels.
It doesn’t matter what technique you try, just get started! 

Emotional Health

After the pandemic, we all know just how important it is to maintain our mental health. Regular meditation has been shown to reduce the symptoms of depression by decreasing the levels of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, which are released in response to stress. It can also help people experience fewer negative thoughts. 

Improve Attention Span

Studies also show that regular meditation practices can lead to enhanced performance on visual tasks and a great attention span than those who don’t regularly practice meditation.
You don’t need to set a goal of meditating for hours on end; other studies have indicated that even short periods of meditation each day can be a benefit. One study found that just 13 minutes a day of meditation enhanced attention and memory after just eight weeks.

Reduce Memory Loss

Now that you know that regular meditation can lead to improvements in attention and clarity, you might be happy to hear that both benefits lead to keeping your mind young and healthy overall. 

Studies have found that in addition to fighting the normal age-related memory loss that comes from getting older, meditation can at least partially improve memory in those suffering from dementia. It can also help to control stress and improve coping skills in caregivers.  

Better Sleep 

Healthy sleep patterns lead to a host of health benefits and one study found that people who meditated regularly not only remained asleep for longer periods of time, but also have improved insomnia severity. Meditation can help you relax and release tension, thus placing you in a peaceful state that allows you to fall asleep quickly and more easily. 

Pain Relief 

One review of 38 studies concluded that mindfulness meditation could not only reduce pain, but also improve quality of life, and decrease the symptoms of depression in those suffering from chronic pain. 

Keep Blood Pressure in Check

The dangers of high blood pressure are common knowledge and include heart disease and stroke among other issues. A 2015 meta-analysis of 12 studies with nearly 1,000 participants found that meditation helped to reduce blood pressure. 

The bottom line is that meditation is something that everyone can try to improve their mental and emotional health. You don’t have to have a particular level of athletic ability; it doesn’t require a special location or equipment and you don’t have to buy a membership to a gym to try it. A simple Google or YouTube search can get you started. Trying out a variety of styles to see what might work best for you is a great way to begin your meditation journey!

The post 8 Benefits of Practicing Regular Meditation appeared first on Tybee Acupuncture.

The conversation around mental health has become much more prominent in recent years due in part to the pandemic. Depression, loneliness, and anxiety have all increased for many people especially in the last couple of years. Sometimes prescription medications are needed to deal with a particular mental health issue — but people are often looking for drug-free alternatives.

Acupuncture is a great option for those struggling with mental or emotional issues.

Just for depression alone, users of antidepressant prescription medications can experience some heavy side effects; and there are those who, despite the prescription, are not helped by the medication themselves. Acupuncture offers a holistic option to deal with depression and the underlying causes. 

Depression and anxiety can manifest in both physical and emotional symptoms. This is often an indication of an imbalance of Qi (pronounced “Chi”) in the body. Qi is defined as the body’s energy pathways flowing through channels in the body called meridians. When Qi is balanced and flowing through the meridian network, our bodies operate optimally. When Qi isn’t balanced, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, high blood pressure, and even digestive issues can be present. 

Acupuncture points for treating emotional and physical effects of mental health disorders are located all over the body. Before beginning your acupuncture treatment, I will take a detailed history and examination. Then I will choose the acupuncture points based on your history and report of findings.

Researchers have been studying the effectiveness of acupuncture and how it can help people who suffer from depression and the findings are positive. A study conducted at the University of Arizona examined responses of 34 depressed women who used acupuncture, generalized acupuncture not utilizing specific points, or no treatment at all. The study found that of the women who received acupuncture specifically for depression, 43% experienced a reduction in their symptoms compared with 22% for those receiving general acupuncture and 14% who received no treatment at all. After eight weeks, more than half of the women who received specific acupuncture were considered no longer depressed. 

If you suffer from feelings of anxiety or depression, find out how the appropriate treatment plan can be developed based on your specific needs. Studies have shown that the right “dose” of acupuncture was the key in helping patients see results and a reduction of the symptoms of stress and depression. “Dose” is defined as both the number of treatment sessions overall, as well as the number of acupuncture points addressed in each session. 

Herbal supplements, nutrition, and dietary changes can also be utilized to help bring you back into balance. As we have all seen over the last couple of years, we need to be as vigilant in maintaining our mental health as we are with our physical health.

Contact me today and experience the healing benefits of acupuncture!

The post Acupuncture for Mental Health and Wellness appeared first on Tybee Acupuncture.