The 1st Great Reason to Pray the Rosary

Today we begin our 5 week journey of unpacking "5 Great Reasons to Pray the Rosary." Here's Reason #1.

​Reason #1: For the physiological changes that take place in the body. 
 One of the first, and most basic benefits of praying the rosary is the physiological changes that take place in the body.  When one prays the rosary, a slower heart rate is noticeable. Breathing also slows down and becomes more rhythmical, and those are just a couple of the benefits. This has been well documented.   

We especially recommend the rosary to those who struggle with anxiety and nervousness.  It can be enormously helpful to youths, especially when they are going through a growth spurt. As their young bodies and brains grow, not everything matures at the same rate. It is normal for them to feel confused and even separated from themselves, as though they aren't sure what is happening. You might see a reocurrence of night terrors and bad dreams.  Although these emotions are part of growing up, they can be disturbing and even frightening to young children.   Falling asleep praying the rosary can be very comforting and soothing - and help ease them into a better sleep as they teach their bodies how to unwind and power down. 

Of course, not just the young, but people of all ages can experience the healthy benefits of intentionally slowing down and breathing deeply.  The rosary is a source of comfort and physical help to all who make meditation and reflection a habit, as it greatly helps in stopping the flow of cortisol and stress-reaction hormones, replacing them with serotonin and other helpful, feel good hormones.  

The Rosary Foundation (www.erosary.com) also  lists these benefits:

• improved rate of breathing, improves respirator functions
• boosts the immune system and helps protects against sickness
• increases energy levels and fights chronic fatigue
• helps lower blood pressure
• alleviates muscle tension and aids relaxation
• helps with migrane headaches
• increases levels of serotonin
• helps with coping with disease
• aids with the termination of physical addictions
• promotes restful sleep

 And those are just the physical benefits! Tune in next week for the 2nd Great Reason to pray the rosary.

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