Forty healthy adults were divided into two groups—one group attended an eight-week course in mindfulness meditation, an ancient practice that focuses on creating awareness of the present moment, while the other group did not. Result: The meditation group reported lower levels of loneliness (a risk factor for death) and had lower levels of C-reactive protein and pro-inflammatory gene expression (which contribute to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer). Mindfulness meditation is taught throughout the US. For locations, consult the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, http://UMassMed.edu/cfm/.
