Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a popular form of meditation that has been hailed for its ability to reduce anxiety and improve mental health. TM involves silently repeating a mantra, or a word, sound, or phrase, for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day. This practice allows the mind to transcend while the body remains awake and relaxed. Research has found that TM can be an effective treatment for reducing anxiety and its symptoms, with some studies showing significant reductions in anxiety levels after just a few weeks of practice.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Effectiveness | Twice as effective at reducing anxiety when compared to other meditation techniques |
Time | 15-20 minutes twice a day |
Eyes | Shut |
Mantra | A word or phrase with no real meaning |
Posture | Sit comfortably |
Reduction in anxiety | 20.5% decreased severity in psychological distress |
38.8% of the sample had mental distress at the start of the course, which decreased to 26.3% at the end | |
50% of veterans no longer met the criteria for having PTSD after 3 months | |
Other benefits | Improved sleep, boosted creativity, improved focus for people with ADHD, reduced stress, reduced depression, improved heart health |
What You'll Learn
TM reduces anxiety and stress
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a mental technique that involves silently repeating a mantra to detach yourself from anxiety. TM is twice as effective at reducing anxiety when compared to other meditation techniques, according to a Stanford University meta-analysis of 146 independent studies.
TM practitioners silently repeat a mantra, which can be a word, sound, or phrase, to prevent distracting thoughts and allow the mind to transcend while the body remains awake and relaxed. This practice is typically done for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day.
TM has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress in multiple studies. A 2013 study published in Military Medicine listed TM as a feasible treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty military personnel. Another study published in The Permanente Journal in 2014 found that a TM program reduced psychological distress in teachers. A 2016 study from the same journal found significant reductions in symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in prison inmates who practiced TM.
TM has also been found to be beneficial for individuals with ADHD. A pilot study in 2011 showed that students with ADHD who practiced TM for 3-6 months improved their ability to focus, as well as their organizational skills and capacity for independent work.
TM is a cost-effective approach that can serve as a valuable tool for managing anxiety and stress. It is a natural and drug-free way to improve mental health and enhance overall well-being.
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TM is twice as effective as other meditation techniques
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a mental technique that involves silently repeating a mantra to detach yourself from anxiety. TM is different from other meditation practices as it does not require concentration or visualisation. Instead, the practitioner silently repeats a mantra, allowing the mind to transcend while the mind and body remain awake yet relaxed.
TM has been found to be twice as effective at reducing anxiety when compared to other meditation techniques. A Stanford University meta-analysis of 146 independent studies found that TM reduced anxiety levels by twice as much as other techniques. This is supported by a 2014 review in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, which analysed 14 studies on TM and anxiety. Four of those studies found that the most significant reduction in anxiety symptoms occurred within the first few weeks of taking up TM.
TM is also found to be more effective than other treatments for anxiety. In a 2016 study, active-duty service members who practised TM were more likely to stabilise, decrease, or stop their use of psychiatric medication after one month compared to those who did not. Another study found that 50% of veterans with PTSD no longer met the criteria for the disorder after practising TM for three months, compared to just 10% of the control group receiving standard therapies.
TM is a cost-effective approach that can serve as a lifelong tool for managing anxiety. It is suitable for people of all ages and levels of experience, and can be practised for just 15 to 20 minutes twice a day.
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TM improves mental health
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a powerful tool for improving mental health and reducing symptoms of anxiety. TM involves silently repeating a mantra, a word or phrase with no real meaning, for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day. This practice allows the mind to transcend while the body and mind remain awake yet relaxed. TM is distinct from other meditation practices as it does not require concentration or visualization.
Research has shown that TM is highly effective in reducing anxiety levels. A Stanford University meta-analysis of 146 independent studies found that TM reduced anxiety twice as effectively compared to other meditation techniques. A 2013 study in Military Medicine also listed TM as a viable treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military personnel. Furthermore, a 2016 study found that TM significantly reduced symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in prison inmates. These findings suggest that TM can be a valuable tool for managing anxiety and improving mental health.
TM has been found to be particularly beneficial for individuals with PTSD. In a 2018 study, researchers compared TM to prolonged exposure therapy and PTSD health education. The results showed that 61% of participants using TM experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, compared to 42% in the prolonged exposure therapy group and 32% in the health education group. This indicates that TM can be an effective approach for treating PTSD and improving mental well-being.
TM has also been shown to reduce stress and improve overall mental health. A study conducted in 2014 on teachers at a therapeutic school found that, after four months of practicing TM, participants reported less stress, depression, and burnout compared to a control group. Additionally, TM has been linked to improved sleep quality, enhanced focus and academic performance, and better relationships. These positive effects on mental health can have a significant impact on various aspects of an individual's life.
TM is a simple and effortless practice that does not require concentration or control of the mind. It is suitable for people of all ages and levels of experience. By regularly practicing TM, individuals can experience reduced anxiety, improved mental clarity, and a more peaceful state of mind. TM can be an important component of a holistic approach to managing anxiety and improving overall mental well-being.
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TM helps with PTSD and depression
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a mental health technique that involves sitting with eyes closed for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day while silently repeating a mantra. TM is twice as effective at reducing anxiety compared to other meditation techniques, according to a Stanford University meta-analysis of 146 independent studies.
TM has been shown to be an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In a 2018 study, 61% of participants who used TM showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, compared to 42% in the prolonged exposure therapy group and 32% in the health education group. A 2022 study found that 50% of veterans no longer met the criteria for PTSD after practicing TM for three months, compared to just 10% of the control group receiving standard therapies.
TM has also been found to reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in prison inmates. A 2016 study on active-duty service members found that those who practiced TM were more likely to stabilize, decrease, or stop their use of psychiatric medication after one month compared to those who did not.
TM works by allowing the mind to transcend while the body remains awake yet relaxed. It does not require concentration or visualization, making it suitable for people of all ages and levels of experience. The technique can be learned in a few months and can lead to reduced stress and anxiety in a person's everyday life.
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TM improves sleep quality
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a mental technique that involves silently repeating a mantra to detach yourself from anxiety. TM is typically practised for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day, with eyes closed.
Research has shown that TM reduces stress and anxiety, which can lead to improved sleep quality. A 2013 study published in Military Medicine found that TM was an effective treatment for PTSD in active-duty military personnel. Similarly, a 2014 study in The Permanente Journal concluded that TM reduced psychological distress in teachers. Another study from the same journal in 2016 found that TM reduced symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in prison inmates.
TM's ability to improve sleep quality may be attributed to its impact on reducing stress and anxiety. By allowing the mind to reach a deep state of rest and relaxation, TM can help individuals fall asleep more easily and improve their overall sleep quality.
The practice of TM also enhances overall well-being, which can contribute to better sleep. TM has been shown to improve brain processing and increase EEG coherence, which reflects improved communication and integration within the brain. This enhanced brain function can lead to better sleep quality and more restful sleep.
TM is a cost-effective and drug-free approach to improving sleep quality and managing symptoms of ADHD. It is a valuable tool for emotional regulation and can be easily incorporated into daily routines, making it an effective way to improve sleep and overall well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Transcendental meditation (TM) involves sitting with eyes closed for 15-20 minutes twice a day while silently repeating a mantra. The mantra is a word or phrase that has no real meaning.
TM helps to detach oneself from anxiety by repeating a mantra. Research has shown that TM is twice as effective at reducing anxiety when compared to other meditation techniques.
TM may be particularly beneficial for those with PTSD. In a 2018 study, 61% of people doing TM showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms. TM can also help reduce stress, depression, and burnout.
TM is traditionally taught by a certified instructor for four consecutive days, about one to two hours each day. After that, people are encouraged to practice on their own. The cost of training sessions varies based on income and location.