Om chanting, in particular, is a powerful form of chanting that has gained popularity in recent years due to its reported positive effects on mental health.
Mental health is a crucial aspect of well-being and is linked with overall health and quality of life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of wellbeing where an individual:
- Realizes their potentials
- Copes with the stresses of life
- Works productively
- Contributes to their community
Unfortunately, mental health issues are on the rise globally, with depression, anxiety, and stress increasing among people of all age groups.
What is Om Chanting?
Om chanting involves reciting the Om mantra, one of the most important elements of Hindu tradition.
- The Om mantra is believed to produce vibrations that create a sense of tranquillity and calmness.
- Studies link Om chanting to reducing stress, improving concentration, and enhancing well-being
Meditation and Chanting
Meditation has long been used as a stress-reducing technique and is well studied in improving psychological health.
- Practiced for thousands of years, meditation is rooted in Buddhism and Hinduism.
- A branch of meditation is chanting repeating mantras, words, or sounds that deeply impact one’s inner state.
- Om (AUM) is one of the oldest and most powerful mantras, used in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, and is believed to be the sound of the universe
The Science Behind Om
- The Om sound resonates at a frequency of 432 Hz.
- Chanting Om activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the rest-and-digest response.
- This helps bring the body, mind, and spirit into balance.
Benefits of Om Chanting
1. Reduces Stress
When stressed, the body releases cortisol, a hormone that negatively affects both mental and physical health.
- Om chanting lowers cortisol levels.
- This promotes relaxation and calmness
2. Helps with Anxiety
A study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that chanting Om for just five minutes daily can significantly reduce anxiety.
- The sound of Om has a calming effect on the mind.
- It helps reduce anxious feelings and restores inner peace.
3. Supports in Depression
A study by the Department of Psychology, University of California, found that chanting Om can reduce symptoms of depression, such as sadness and hopelessness.
- Om vibrations positively influence the brain.
- They improve mood and reduce depressive thoughts.
Om chanting is more than a spiritual practice, it’s a healing tool backed by science.
- It reduces stress hormones
- Calms anxiety
- Lifts depressive symptoms
- Promotes overall well-being
By combining ancient wisdom with modern research, Om chanting proves to be a simple yet powerful practice for mental health.
So, the next time you feel stressed or overwhelmed, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and chant OM. 
MBH/PS