High blood pressure is one of the physical manifestations of
stress in our bodies. One well studied benefit of practicing mindfulness is its
effect on stress reduction. In fact, one of the most popular and
well-researched mindfulness courses in the US is the Mindfulness Based Stress
Reduction (MBSR) program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of
Massachusetts Medical School. The course teaches mindfulness practices with a
focus on how they might be used to help reduce stress.
In one study examining the effects of MBSR on stress, researchers put all
participants in a stressful situation, during which they measured participants’
blood pressure. Then, half of the participants took the MBSR course, after
which all participants again were put in a stressful situation and had their
blood pressure measured. Results showed that participants who took the MBSR
course had a decrease in blood pressure as compared to before they took MBSR.
This suggests that MBSR may help reduce blood pressure levels and blood pressure
reactivity to stress.
Keryn Breiterman-Loader
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