Meditation for better health

Meditation has been practiced for many years in many religions.  However, as more scientific evidence emerges praising the health and wellness benefits of meditation, it is becoming increasingly more popular.

JB and Dr. Daniela Steyn discuss the research behind meditation.

Dr. Daniela also discusses the scientific health benefits of incorporating meditation into your daily practice.

1: Meditation promotes better sleep

2: Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression

3: Reduce pain, especially in chronic pain syndromes, chronic illness, migraines, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.

4: Meditation boosts your memory, protects against cognitive decline (ageing of the brain), it sharpens focus and concentration, it improves creativity.

5: Improved cardiovascular health. One study showed that after meditating for only 5min a day, after only 10 days the participants showed an improvement in heart rate variability. Other studies have shown meditation decreases blood pressure and improves blood cholesterol levels.

Some of the science discussed in this podcast: 

Our brains consist of billions of nerve cells called neurons. These neurons talk to each other. This communication is called electricity. When millions of neurons are communicating at the same time this generates a significant amount of electrical activity. In the hospital, we can measure this electricity with an EEG machine (electroencephalograph). This combined electrical activity in the brain is known as a brainwave pattern. It is called a brainwave because when we record it, it shows a wave-like pattern. Brain waves can be sorted into four different categories based on wave frequency that gets measured in cycles per second (Hz).

• Beta waves: 15-40Hz

This is when you are superconscious, awake, alert, active, engaged, talking with your boss, teaching your children Math.

• Alpha waves: 9-14Hz

This is the frequency when you are awake and conscious, but calm, lucid, reflective. For example when you are staring into a fire, looking at the rolling waves of the ocean, listening to soothing music.

• Theta waves: 5-8Hz

This is the state we enter when we are deeply relaxed, in a deeper meditative state, almost semiconscious. These are the frequency during daydreaming and REM sleep.

• Delta waves 1.5-4Hz 

This is when we are in dreamless sleep, minimally aware, unconscious of our surroundings.

During this episode, JB and Dr. Daniela give advice on how to easily incorporate meditation into your daily routine.


*Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. For your individual medical advice, please contact your own Health Care provider. Never ignore medical advice because of something you have heard on this podcast.

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