This document discusses the benefits of both medication and meditation for mental health. It argues that while medication is commonly used to treat symptoms, meditation can help heal the underlying causes by reducing stress, improving sleep, boosting creativity, and lessening the need for self-medication. The author recommends meditating for 15-20 minutes twice daily and participating in classes to learn techniques like deep breathing to experience benefits like lowered heart rate, reduced anxiety, and increased focus and relaxation.

1. Medication or Meditation? by Thomas Hushen, Service Coordinator-HRC
The answer is BOTH! While prescription There are many great benefits of medita-
drugs continue to be the most common tion. Meditation is a time of silence, a time
form of relieving mental health to clear the mind from all of our problems.
“symptoms,” they do not actually con- It does not make the problems go away; it
tribute to the healing of the “cause” of simply allows us to be better equipped to
these symptoms. Finding the right com- deal with them. To get significant benefits
bination of medication to manage our from meditation, one should meditate for
mental health symptoms can be a chal- 15-20 minutes at the same time. Meditat-
lenge, one that I am sure we all have ing two times a day—morning and eve-
experienced. Every day we are faced ning—is the best way to begin. I have
with external life stressors. Sometimes it listed below some of the surprising bene-
seems that these stressors all happen fits of this practice that you may not know
at once, only to leave us with racing about!
thoughts, anxiety and increased depres-
sion, and most of all a feeling of being 1. Reduced Heart Rate: Normali-
overwhelmed! zation of High Blood Pressure
Heart rates and high blood pressures have Thomas Hushen is a
Those of us who are mental health con- been found to fall during meditation. The Service Coordinator and
sumers tend to easily get overwhelmed effect tends to persist even when not medi-
due to the nature of our human condi- tating (in those who have been practicing SacPort Instructor at Human
tion and mental illness. On top of our meditation daily). Resource Consultants (HRC)
own life stressors, there is always
something negative being broadcast on 2. Perfect Rest: Physical Rest and www.hrcrst.org
radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, and Relaxation
the Internet. All this negativity creates The state of consciousness attained during rather than without for peace and com-
and feeds ANTS (Automatic Negative meditation is considered to be the deepest fort. Meditation tends to reduce the need
Thoughts). possible rest and relaxation there is for both for us to self-medicate, and allows us to
body and mind. Experiments have shown see the world differently with a clear
The good news is that there are coping that the overall average breathing reduction mind.
skills that help us manage daily stress, rate shows a deeper state of rest and peace
depression, and anxiety. One great cop- of mind during meditation. The meditator is 6. Relief from Insomnia
ing tool for “life” is meditation! Please able to maintain this perfect physical rest/ Deep-rooted stress and anxiety can be
understand that I believe that medica- relaxation even in activities after meditation. one reason for chronic insomnia. As ha-
tion is a gift from the universe, and in You become calmer and more relaxed, and bitual meditation and breath work in-
many instances, it allows us to have a can experience the activities you participate creases, it dissolves deep-seated
in with more clarity and focus. stresses and the sleeping cycle naturally
better quality of life.
improves.
Preventative medicine is progressing,
3. Reduced Stress
Stress, as we all know, is a psychologically I encourage you to take a class to learn
and medical doctors and psychiatrists
agitated state which is the opposite of rest the basics of meditation and breath work.
everywhere are embracing alternative
and relaxation. Cortisol (a hormone pro- I facilitate Sacramento PsychoSocial
practices as a way of healing the body duced by the body) is released in response
and preventing disease. Many of these Options for Rehabilitation Training
to stress. Cortisol levels are high when a
practices help us to manage our (SacPort) groups at HRC and incorpo-
person is highly anxious or under stress.
“persistent” mental health symptoms. rate this practice in every group.
Physiologists have found that during and
after meditation there are lower levels of
I do take prescription medications for Many group members are “amazed” at
cortisol produced by the body, which means
conditions that require it, but it alone the level of deep peace they are able to
less anxiety!
sometimes is just not enough to help feel after meditation. They report that
me deal with life and the challenges it 4. Increased Creativity they are able to absorb the material and
As you practice daily meditation, you will find support from others more easily as a
brings. Meditation is a valuable practice
that helps create a balance of body and your level of creativity is enhanced. Once result! In conjunction with meditation,
mind and brings harmony to one’s entire there is balance of our mind and body, we breathing exercises will help to regulate
“being.” have replaced negative perceptions with your breathing by simply inhaling through
positive ones and are now ready to experi- your nose and exhaling through your
Here is what meditation WILL do for you ence an increase in creativity. Creativity in mouth.
without ANY adverse side effects! itself is another great coping skill!
Breathe in calmness and peace, and
The Benefits of Meditation 5. Reduced Need to Self-Medicate exhale the negative thoughts that are
Some people resort to using alcohol and racing through your mind! Is it really that
As a mental health consumer myself, simple? Yes! You will find that even after
drugs more when they experience depres-
and working with clients at Human Re- sion and anxiety, trying to escape the trou- your first experience in meditation and
source Consultants (HRC), I have seen bles and symptoms they have by self- deep breathing exercises, you will truly
firsthand the results of this powerful medicating. When we get overloaded, it’s “feel” the difference!
practice. time to look within