Women's Healthy Aging and Menopause; (WHAM)

A Feasibility Study Examining the Comparison of Transcendental Meditation Versus Health Education on Psychological and Hemodynamic Function in Post-menopausal Women

The present study will examine whether women at high risk for developing hypertension, i.e., post-menopausal status, at least mild psychological distress, and mildly elevated blood pressure, show improvements in these risk factors after a 12-week Transcendental Meditation (TM) intervention compared to Women's Health Education (WHE). Positive findings will provide initial evidence of using nonpharmacological methods, such as TM, to prevent hypertension in postmenopausal women.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥130 systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤160 and/or 84 ≥ diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≤100.
2. Perceived stress scale (PSS-4) > 5
3. Able to give informed consent.
4. Understand study procedures and comply with them for the length of the study.
5. Ages between 50 and 80 years.
6. Post-menopausal ≥ 1 year since last menstruation
7. Reads and speaks English
8. UHealth patients
9. Working at least part-time

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Currently in a meditation program.
2. Meditates more than once per week
3. Recent stroke or cerebral neurologic impairment.
4. Current uses of mood stabilizers or antipsychotics.
5. Has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or substance use disorder.
6. Inability to give written informed consent in English.