What's your opinion on meditation? Does it improve mind and body, or is it a spectacular waste of time?
A few years ago I was a cynic on meditation. Now I'm a fan. Chinese and American experts working together set up a randomised controlled trial in 80 students, who either practised meditation or were taught simply to relax their muscles for 20 minutes a day. After only five days, the meditating students scored better on the ability to maintain attention and on mood. Asked to perform difficult mental arithmetic, the meditators' blood cortisol levels - a measure of stress - rose substantially less than those of the relaxers. It's a good start for meditation, but we need longer studies to show the benefits are lasting. I don't see it doing harm.
Source: The Guardian
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