Mindfulness mediates the physiological markers of stress

In a meta-analysis and systematic review, studied outcomes included cortisol, blood pressure, heart-rate, lipids and peripheral cytokine expression.
Forty-five studies were include d. All meditation subtypes reduced systolic blood pressure. Focused attention meditations also reduced cortisol and open monitoring meditations also reduced heart rate. When all meditation forms were analysed together, meditation reduced cortisol, C - reactive protein, blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Overall, meditation practice leads to decreased physiological markers of stress in a range of populations.

Source :http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.08.004