Tuning The Mind to Help the Body

Meditation and Attention

Stressed out? Don't be surprised if your doctor suggests meditation.

Several clinical trials in recent years have looked at meditation as a way to manage and reduce stress, both physical and mental. And the preliminary results of these studies have been encouraging.

Meditation takes many forms, but the goal of all of them is to focus your attention. Meditation is a mind-body process. When focused, the mind is calmed and the body can relax, creating a sense of well-being. The mind's health influences the body's health.

The March 2005 issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter says that meditation can reduce:

• high blood pressure

• anxiety

• substance abuse

• post-traumatic stress syndrome

• visits to health care providers.

You can take a class to learn meditation or learn it using books or tapes. Meditation doesn't replace medical treatment, but it appears to reduce stress and may positively influence the effect of more standard treatment.