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# What specific benefits of meditation are highlighted by the WHO?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes several significant benefits of meditation, particularly mindfulness meditation, for both mental and physical well-being.

Here are some of the specific benefits of meditation highlighted by the WHO:

* **Stress Reduction:** The WHO emphasizes that meditation, especially mindfulness meditation, is a powerful self-care tool that can help manage stress. It promotes relaxation and helps lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress.
* **Improved Mental Health:** Meditation can aid in the treatment of anxiety and enhance overall well-being. It helps in managing symptoms of anxiety by promoting a sense of calm and focus. In addition, the WHO acknowledges meditation's ability to improve emotional stability and self-regulation.
* **Physical Health:** The WHO recognizes that meditation contributes to better physical health, such as by lowering blood pressure.
* **Coping Mechanisms:** WHO's discussions on stress management underscore the importance of learning coping mechanisms, such as meditation, to support both mental and physical health.
* **Overall Well-being:** The WHO recognizes meditation as a practice that can enhance overall well-being, and advocates incorporating mindfulness meditation into daily routines, even for a few minutes each day.
* **Mental Health Benefits of Yoga:** The WHO also acknowledges the mental health benefits of practices like yoga, which often incorporate meditative elements. The WHO recognizes yoga’s contributions to lifelong health and well-being, emphasizing its role in promoting healthier populations and a more equitable and sustainable world.
* **Accessibility:** Technology has expanded access to meditation, with apps and online platforms enabling individuals to practice anywhere and anytime. The WHO, in collaboration with the Government of India, has launched a yoga app called **WHO mYoga** to help people stay active and healthy.

In addition to recognizing the benefits of meditation, the WHO is committed to **improving mental health** through various initiatives such as the **Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2030** and the **WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019–2023)**. The WHO also promotes mental health through programs like the **Mental Health Gap Action Programme** (mhGAP).

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