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College students are particularly prone to psychological distress caused by academic pressures, financial strains and uncertain futures. Transcendental meditation can aid in significantly improving students’ mental health.
Benefits of transcendental meditation include:
• Purposeful, flexible thinking
• Energy and vitality
• Strong immune functioning
• Balanced physiology
• Fit cardiovascular system
Transcendental meditation may also reduce blood pressure, anxiety and depression among at-risk college students, according to a new study by researchers at the American University and the Maharishi University of Management, which appears in the December American Journal of Hypertension.
“The standard transcendental meditation program to reduce stress showed significant decreases in blood pressure and improved mental health in young adults at risk for hypertension,” said David Haaga, study coauthor and American University psychology professor.
The study recruited 298 American University students and assigned them to either a transcendental meditation group or a group placed on a three-month wait list for treatment.
Improvements in psychological distress, blood pressure and coping occurred in the students practicing the transcendental medication technique. Reductions in blood pressure were also determined to be associated with a lowered risk of hypertension in later years.
“This is the first study to show in young adults at risk for hypertension reductions in blood pressure that were associated with changes in psychological distress and coping,” said Sanford Nidich, coauthor and senior researcher at the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management.
College students frequently have more complex problems today than they did over a decade ago, according to the American Psychological Association. Issues range from stress, physical conditions and personality disorders to educational and vocational choices.
For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500. Nov.30.
