There’s nothing better than listening to some calming music in the morning and settling down in the favorite corner of the house to meditate whenever we are stressed or agitated. But do they relieve us of stress or do they make it worse?
According to new research, published in the outlet New Scientist, about one in 12 people who try meditation experience an unwanted negative effect. These conditions are usually worsening in depression or anxiety, or even the onset of these conditions for the first time.
Meditations are of various types, but the one that is comparatively popular is mindfulness. In mindfulness, people pay attention to the present moment, their own thoughts and feelings, or external sensations. It is usually recommended to people who are experiencing depression or preventing relapse of depression.
People are taking on meditation because of the growing awareness of the side effects of antidepressant medicines and also because some of them get addicted to them. But it has been noted that some people have experienced worse mental health after starting meditation.
The research found out that about 8 percent of people who try meditation experience an unwanted effect. After practicing meditation, some people experienced anything from an increase in anxiety up to panic attacks. They also observed instances of psychosis or thoughts of suicide.
So, should you leave the mediation and mindfulness? Well, according to a well-acclaimed chartered psychologist, people may be facing these mental health issues because these people may be suffering from depression and anxiety, which has gone undiagnosed. And this might have pushed the test results.
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When people practice meditation, they are trying to control the mind and thoughts. But the mind can rebel. It may resist any idea to be controlled and, thus, results in a backlash to the attempt to control the mind.
However, it would be best if you didn’t throw up on the notion of giving meditation an opportunity. Meditation has been found to stimulate people to loosen up and refocus and treat them both mentally and physically.
Rather than working it on your own, go for a guided meditation discourse, headed by a teacher or an app with a recorded narration, which is much safer. There are pre-recorded sessions available online. Don’t let these research stop you from practicing, which can benefit you in the right context.