Do This to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Wouldn't it be great if your mind had a superpower that made your blood pressure behave?
It does! A review of nine major studies says your mind could budge your blood pressure in a
healthy direction if you give it a meditation break. Regular practice helps lower both systolic (the
top number) and diastolic pressure.
Breathe In, Breathe Out
Meditation -- that ancient art of focusing on a phrase or mantra, letting your breath flow in and out,
and allowing your thoughts to gently come and go -- is a proven stress reliever. And research now
shows that regularly practicing transcendental meditation may have blood pressure benefits. (Get a
head start on meditation basics by popping in the new YOU: Breathing Easy CD. It walks you
step by step through several refreshing and relaxing meditation and breathing techniques.)
Need more incentive to meditate? Check out these other areas that it helps improve:
 Memory: Read how meditation gives you a more organized mind.
 Brainpower: Check out how meditation may actually make your brain bigger.
 Heart health: Find out how much lower your heart disease risk could be.
Try this two-step meditation tool.
Benefit
Keeping your blood pressure at 115/76 mm Hg can make your RealAge as much as 12 years
younger.
References
Blood pressure response to transcendental meditation: a meta-analysis. Anderson, J. W., Liu, C.,
Kryscio, R. J.,American Journal of Hypertension 2008 Mar;21(3):310-316.