Meditation and its Effects on Holistic Care - Essay Example

Meditation and its Effects on Holistic Care of the al affiliation The art of meditation and its application in the contemporary age have been interesting concepts in many research endeavors. Meditation involves a decelerated brain activity that causes the body to slip into extreme relaxation. This work has identified meditative therapies including deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Indeed, mindfulness has also been identified as the awareness that comes about through focusing on purpose in the present moment without being judgmental on the unfolding of experience from moment to moment. In perspective, many research studies have been done on the effects of meditation therapy on the health and body, showing that such therapy can treat diseases such as cancer and reduce tension. Other studies postulate that meditation is helpful to the bodies and minds of people while others contend that it builds mental power. Research has also proved that meditation therapy technique of deep breathing is important with regard to other body organs. In a retrospective analysis, it is plausible that the holistic modality of meditation therapy is applicable to the modern nursing and that such techniques have been found to be applicable to different cultures, age and gender.. Meditation therapy Meditation has a long history in physical relaxation, increasing calmness, coping with illnesses and enhancing overall health and well-being. The mind goes into a state of relaxation while meditating, and outside thoughts are not allowed to interfere the cognitive process of the mind. Meditation therapy has been defined as a collection of therapies that include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, as well as relaxation of the mind. On this note, the therapy has a primary objective of inducing the mind into a resting or a relaxing brainwave state whereby the brain rhythm is slowed. This paper examines the effectiveness of meditation therapy on holistic care and also explores the research done on meditation therapy as well as the experiences of patients. Meditation involves a decelerated brain activity that causes the body to slip into extreme relaxation. This process enables a natural release of endorphins, which causes the body to experience intense and pleasurable sensations. The technique teaches the ability to work with the minds and souls in a way that difficult situations are interpreted easily. Meditation therapy must be practiced with great discipline and awareness to have positive effects (Arias, Steinberg, Banga, & Trestman, 2006). If not done correctly, the technique can result in problems in the psychological and the spiritual well-being of the patients. Meditative Therapies include deep breathing, mindful relaxation, and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques, when used appropriately contribute positively to the body in numerous ways that improve significantly the holistic health of the patients. Deep breathing is the first aspect of meditation therapy. As an exercise is where, a person breathes deeply, slowly and in a regular manner with full attention focused on the movement of air in and out of the body. If regularly practiced, deep breathing becomes a natural calming force in daily life. With deep breathing, the main focus is on one’s breath, and this process can be used as a starting point to other meditation therapy types. Mindfulness is the awareness that comes about through focusing on purpose, in the present moment without being judgmental on the unfolding of experience from moment to moment. Mindfulness relaxation exercises allow patients to be able to identify, tolerate and lessen frightening thoughts. Mindfulness gives the patient the mastery over thoughts and feelings. In perspective, progressive muscle relaxation is a technique of meditation therapy that involves tensing of particular muscle groups and then making them relax to create awareness of relaxation and tension (Shapiro, Brown, & Biegel, 2007). It proceeds through all major groups of muscles relaxing them one at a time and eventually results to complete muscle relaxation. This technique has been found effective against any particular ailments such as ulcers, insomnia, and hypertension. Meditation therapy is, for this reason, a holistic therapy, and it recognizes that people are complex combinations of unique bodies, emotion, spirits and minds. The therapy considers this interconnectedness and, as a result, assesses and addresses the physical, mental and the spiritual aspects of the patients (Ospina et al. 2008). Researches on the technique and evidences Research studies have been increasingly done on the effects of meditation therapy on the health and body. Meditation can treat diseases such as cancer as it enables the patient to release tension, have will power to fight and the consciousness of being in control of life. Meditation therapy alleviates hopelessness, depression, despair and loneliness. Additionally, such techniques help to manage the heart conditions and high blood pressure. Other studies postulate that meditation is helpful and beneficial to the bodies and minds of the patients once it has been firmly established, and the minds have relaxed and become calm. The physical benefits include the slowing down of the pulse rate, lowering the blood pressure and a boost to the immune system (Shapiro, Brown, & Biegel, 2007). The psychological benefits originate from the slowing down of the brain waves that makes the patient feel relaxed and can relieve the muscular aches, headaches, and pains. Other researchers contend that meditative therapy techniques build mental power. The techniques stop the body from burning out, lessen stress and transform how the brain works. Elimination of stress brings the mind and the body for a moment of profound relaxation that is constituted of complete relaxation and rest that is different from sleep and dreaming. It is plausible to note that research postulates that meditation therapy relieves stress. Indeed, the technique has been tested and proved that it brings with it the ability to analyze, comprehend problems and alleviate the problems associated with depression (Ospina et al. 2008). Research has also proved that meditation therapy technique of deep breathing is important with regard to other body organs particularly the lungs. A research was carried out on the effect of learning mindfulness of breathing techniques on the efficiency of the lungs of patients of patients suffering from asthma after physical exertion. The research revealed that breathing meditation techniques improves the efficiency of the lungs and how they function. Evidence on the subject has revealed tremendous benefits to the patients and positive experiences. Such endeavors have revealed that the effects are plausible on patients if applied appropriately. Patients of the therapy have given positive reports from their experiences after undergoing the therapy (Ospina et al. 2008). Many of the patients who have discovered meditation therapy techniques during their treatments wind up integrating into their post-recovery lives. Integration of the modality in the nursing practice and application The holistic modality of meditation therapy is very applicable in the modern nursing termed as holistic nursing. There is growing interest among the health care providers, especially nurses who are professionals to enhance healing approaches in patient care (Shapiro, Brown, & Biegel, 2007). Meditation therapy is an important aspect of holistic nursing hence incorporated in the nursing profession for the healing of the whole person. The meditation therapy being an aspect of the mind and not involving vigorous physical activity, is applicable across different cultures, age, and gender. It is very beneficial, especially among the elderly patients suffering from depression and stress related diseases (Ospina et al. 2008). More so, it is also applicable for the disabled as it involves the mind and consequently fit for all groups of individuals. Meditation therapy is a very significant technique for holistic growth. Meditation therapy has shown to benefit the users psychologically, physically as well as spiritually. Professional nurses should adopt the technique while giving treatments to their patients. Research on the subject has further been tremendous in the recent past, seeking to improve the therapy and redefining its significance in the contemporary world. As a result, many complexities are prevented and also many diseases healed. References Arias, A. J., Steinberg, K., Banga, A., & Trestman, R. L. (2006). Systematic review of the efficacy of meditation techniques as treatments for medical illness. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 12(8), 817-832. Ospina, M. B., Bond, K., Karkhaneh, M., Buscemi, N., Dryden, D. M., Barnes, V., ... & Shannahoff-Khalsa, D. (2008). Clinical trials of meditation practices in health care: characteristics and quality. The journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 14(10), 1199-1213. Shapiro, S. L., Brown, K. W., & Biegel, G. M. (2007). Teaching self-care to caregivers: effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the mental health of therapists in training. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 1(2), 105. Read More