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Can Chanting OM Reduce Stress and Anxiety?

OM, the word spoken in meditation and yoga practices, has existed for nearly 5,000 years. Can chanting this small word really provide a multitude of health benefits?

By Donna Sarkar
Jan 16, 2021 12:45 AMMar 1, 2021 3:38 PM
Meditation
(Credit: Salienko Evgenii/Shutterstock)

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You may have heard the word "OM" during a yoga class. It's sometimes chanted three times at the beginning or end of a yoga or meditation practice.

Though it may appear to be a small word, OM is said to have roots that trace back to the origin of the world and can be found in Hindu scriptures that date back over 5,000 years ago. Molded over time as a fundamental symbol for yoga, studies show that chanting OM can provide great health benefits and reduce stress and anxiety.

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