Rhythmic Breathing,Meditation and Health

"A person who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."– Albert Einstein

Wednesday’s post was about the benefits of rhythmic breathing while running. Thursday’s  trail run was about 13 to 14 miles . During that run, I incorporated rhythmic breathing. I noticed the following while doing the run: 1.My heart rate seemed significantly lower but more elevated than Alpha’s. 2. I tripped more than Alpha. I believe, in part, the tripping had to do with paying more attention to foot strike on exaltation than lifting my foot off the ground. The last trip, I landed on the left side of my chest, it still hurts. I still believe rhythmic breathing is good however; I have to pay more attention to the trail while running.

On April 16, 2013, the Wall Street Journal had an article about meditation. According to this one primary care physician, “I recommend five minutes, twice a day, and then gradually increase meditation.” This doctor suggested that patients start easy and then work up to about 20 minutes of meditation twice a day for conditions that includes insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome.

It is believed that integrative medicine programs are including meditation in significantly more hospitals and clinics in our country. Research has found that meditation can lower blood pressure and help patients with chronic illnesses cope with pain and depression. In another study published last year, meditation sharply reduced the risk of heart attack or stroke among a group of African Americans with heart disease.

At Beth Israel Deaconess, meditation and other mind-body therapies are slowly being worked into their program of primary care. Meditation is being used as a complement to traditional medicines. It is clear that “when you breathe in a very slow, conscious way it temporally lowers your blood pressure “said Josephine Briggs director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

Recent research found that meditation affects molecular changes affecting the length of telomeres, a protective covering at the end of chromosomes that gets shorter as people age. The people in the study also showed improved mental and cognitive functioning and lower levels of depression compared to a control group. Current government funded research is also exploring meditations effect on dieting and depression.

 Eastern philosophies, have been around for a long time, and can be a good adjunct to  Western medicine. This is not a new idea, but it appears, that these philosophies are gaining more respect and credibility.  If you haven’t taken a meditation or yoga class, I suggest you consider it. Don’t forget,in the meantime, to keep moving, smiling, laughing and deep breathing.