In a study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers recruited 390 adults and gave them all flu vaccines. In addition, some took part in a meditation course, while others participated in regular exercise classes. After a period of eight weeks, those in the meditation group reported feeling 17 per cent healthier overall. Compared to the other two groups, they also stayed home from work the least amount of times due to sickness.

“I suspect this is because they are better able to cope with the symptoms,” James Carmody, a mindfulness researcher at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester explained.

“Keeping attention focused on the thoughts is going to add to the unpleasantness.” With meditation, however, “people learn to redirect their attention so they don’t stay stuck on unpleasant thoughts.”

Another theory behind this? Meditation assists with nixing any mental negativity that may dampen the immune response (e.g. stress). It can also prompt the body to boost its production of antibodies, which helps fight off microbes, infections and toxins. The benefits don’t stop there, btw. Research shows that just 13 minutes of ‘me time’ everyday, can improve your attention span, memory and workplace productivity.

Convinced to give meditation a go? Thought so. Here’s everything you need to know to get your ‘ohm’ on.

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