Want to stay well? Try meditation: Study claims it boosts our minds and immune systems

Meditation can boost our immune system and improve our mental health  according to scientists.

Researchers from Harvard University and Justuc Liebig Univeristy discovered that the ancient religious tradition has various health benefits and can be used as an effective clinical treatment.

Key findings, published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, revealed that meditation can lead to an improved immune function, reduced blood pressure and enhanced cognitive function.

Experts have discovered that meditation has various health benefits and can be used as an effective clinical treatment

Experts have discovered that meditation has various health benefits and can be used as an effective clinical treatment

The practice - an essential part of Buddhist and Indian Yoga life - has become increasingly popular around the world as a way of combating stress.

But now experts say that the research, based on existing scientific literature, proves it is more than a vague remedy and has important health implications.

Lead researcher Dr Britta Hazel,said that the aim of the study, was to 'unveil the conceptual and mechanistic complexity of mindfulness.'

They concluded that there are four key components of the practice that could attribute for its beneficial affects including attention regulation, body awareness, emotion regulation, and sense of self.

Dr Hazel added: 'Understanding the relationships between these components, and the brain mechanisms that underlie them, will allow clinicians to better tailor mindfulness interventions for their patients.'

The team now hope further research on the topic will enable patients to utilize mindfulness meditation as 'a versatile tool to facilitate change both in psychotherapy and in everyday life'.

Despite the recent findings many experts remain skeptical about the health benefits of yoga and meditation.

Last week, researchers from the Group Health Research Institute, said they had found yoga had no mental benefits compared to simply stretching.

They examined 228 adults with chronic lower back pain in Seattle.

Study leader Karen Sherman described her findings as surprising.

She added: 'The most straightforward interpretation of our findings would be that yoga's benefits on back function and symptoms were largely due to the stretching and strengthening of muscles.'