Articles > What are mantras?

What are mantras?

Researched and written by our mindfulness and meditation experts

May 12, 2025

When we sit to meditate, we are looking after ourselves in ways that might not at first seem obvious. The benefits of meditation are numerous and varied, and supported by science. Many people start meditating to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and to cultivate peace of mind. But there are thousands of studies documenting other less-known meditation benefits, which show that the practice can have an impact on mental, physical, and emotional health. Read on to find out more about the many health benefits of meditation you may experience when you establish a practice and repeat it consistently.

Mental health benefits of chanting mantras

Most people are likely familiar with the positive side effects of meditation associated with mental health: increased awareness, clarity, compassion, and a sense of calm. Improved focus is another benefit commonly associated with meditation. In fact, one study showed that a single 15-minute Headspace app can increase focus by 14%, while another showed that just a single session cuts mind-wandering by 22%.

But there are even more ways meditation can benefit the mind. In a study that did not use the Headspace app, researchers from John Hopkins University found general meditation programs helped ease psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain related to stress. A published study conducted at Google and Roche in which employees used Headspace for 8 weeks had similar results: participants reported a 46% reduction in depression and a 31% reduction in anxiety.

That's not all. Another study showed that 10 days of Headspace resulted in an 11% increase in mental resilience. What's more, people who used the Headspace app for just 10 days experienced a 7.5% increase in satisfaction with life. It's clear that regularly setting aside a few minutes — even one minute — to let go, breathe, and recharge, can go a long way to improve health.

Physical benefits of meditation

To appreciate the profound physical benefits of meditation, it's important to understand how chronic stress can wreak havoc on the body. Stress stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing a surge of natural stress hormones (think epinephrine and cortisol) in the bloodstream, which can negatively affect the body. For example, too much epinephrine (a.k.a. adrenaline) can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, too much cortisol can increase blood sugar levels, suppress the immune system, and constrict blood vessels. Eventually, chronic spikes in stress hormones can lead to an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol levels, disrupting immunity, energy levels, and sleep.

Conclusion

If you're looking for an introduction to different types of meditation, check out the 10-day beginner's course on the essentials of meditation — available with your membership or free trial And if you're looking for other types of meditation, explore all that Headspace has to offer, including meditations and courses covering everything from anxiety and compassion to sleep, focus, and more.