Patient education: Meditation (The Basics)

What is meditation? — 

This involves trying to clear the mind and focus on the present moment. There are many different traditions that involve meditation, and many different techniques.

Meditation is often considered a type of "complementary" or "alternative" treatment. Some people find it helps them feel better and more relaxed.

Can meditation help with my health? — 

Maybe. There is some evidence meditation can help with problems like anxiety, depression, or pain. But this can be hard to study. Many people find meditation helps them to relax and manage stress. This might help you feel better able to manage your overall health.

In general, doctors do not recommend using meditation instead of other medicines or therapies. But some people think it can help when used along with these things.

How can I learn to meditate? — 

There are many different forms of meditation. In general, they all involve:

●Finding a quiet space without distractions

●Sitting or lying in a comfortable position

●Focusing your mind

●Letting your thoughts come and go without judgment

Examples of meditation techniques include:

●Mindfulness meditation – "Mindfulness" means keeping your thoughts focused on the present and not future or past worries. There is also "mindfulness-based stress reduction." This involves going to a group program to practice meditation and relaxation and help take better care of yourself.

●Meditation as part of a yoga practice – There are different types of yoga. Some involve meditation in addition to physical poses and movements.

●Spiritual meditation – Many different cultures and religions have meditation practices. One example is transcendental meditation, which involves repeating a "mantra," or specific word or phrase. Another is Qigong meditation, a Chinese practice that involves movement and breathing as well as meditation.

What else should I know? — 

If you are thinking about trying meditation to help with stress or anxiety, talk with your doctor or nurse. They can help you choose the best combination of treatments based on your health, situation, and preferences. Often, meditation can be a way for you to help manage anxiety along with therapy and sometimes medicines.

More on this topic

Patient education: Complementary and alternative medicine (The Basics)
Patient education: Coping with worry and stress (The Basics)
Patient education: Generalized anxiety disorder (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression in children and teens (The Basics)

Patient education: Depression in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Depression in children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)