An alternative medicine practitioner, Mr Pradeep Chandiramani, on Friday said meditation including yoga would reduce the symptoms that accompanied menopause in women.
Chandiramani, who practices in Cotonou, Benin Republic, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that meditation practice had lasting effects that could greatly benefit women in their middle years.
“Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realise some benefits or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content.
“Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline that aims to transform body and mind, “Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia said.
According to Chandiramani, meditation is a very important method to go through the cycle of menopause.
“Since stress is a trigger for common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep problems, helping the body by meditating is likely to help.
“Meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety and is highly effective at reducing stress, a major contributor to menopausal symptoms.
“Practice of the meditation technique for 20 minutes twice a day has been shown to lower cortical (a stress hormone), reduce stress, improve sleep and lift mood, “ he said.
Chandiramani said that the risk for heart disease and osteoporosis tended to rise in women during menopause.
He said that a healthy lifestyle including eating balanced diet and exercising could have significant benefits for such women.
“If you are a good exerciser, you are really fit, your bone strength is going to be better.
“Though, every woman loses bone density after menopause. If you are starting from better bone density, you are going to have an easier time.
“Menopause is an ideal time to re-evaluate lifestyle choices, make some changes including considering a range of important lifestyle questions.
“Am I getting enough exercise, eating healthy diet, getting enough Calcium and Vitamin D?
“All these things definitely have to be taken care of during menopause, “ he said. (NAN)
