Benefícios da meditação na saúde mental: uma revisão narrativa

Abstract

Introduction: Meditation is an integrative practice provided for in the National Policy for Integrative and Complementary Practices in Health, used by several health systems around the world. It can be experienced by individuals seeking its effects on mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, and other symptoms; and benefits in the prevention of various diseases, by strengthening the immune system. Nursing uses Integrative and Complementary Practices in health, among them, Meditation, because it understands the importance, efficiency, and effectiveness of these therapeutic resources arising from traditional knowledge. Its use for the purpose of promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation in the area of mental health has gained emphasis due to its therapeutic potential in improving people's quality of life and in the care process developed by the Nurse. Objective: to describe the benefits of Meditation for mental health. Methodology: this is a narrative review of the literature, using sources such as LILACS, SCieLO and BVS Networks, in addition to other sources such as books, ministerial ordinances and documents, using the time frame from 2000 to 2024. Results and discussion: the studies highlighted the benefits of Meditation on the individual from a perspective of physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. The highlights are the reduction of anxiety and stress levels; development of self-care, strengthening of interpersonal relationships, increased motivation, modulation of attention and sociability; improvement of working memory, learning and attention; psychological well-being, from the perspective of self-acceptance, autonomy, purpose in life and personal growth. It was evident that the benefits described can guide Nursing professionals towards the safe implementation of Meditation in the various scenarios in which the profession finds itself, due to the impact on the health and well-being of individuals. Conclusions: Meditation is an integrative practice capable of contributing to the mental health and physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of individuals, in complete harmony with comprehensive care, a concept that underpins the nursing work process. By recognizing the benefits for the individual and the community, and for mental health, the potential for nursing and the Unified Health System is perceived.