Meditation, however, differs from deep sleep, for it works profound changes in the psyche. By curbing and stilling the oscillations of the mind, meditation brings mental peace. On the physical level, meditation helps to prolong the body's anabolic process of growth and repair, and to reduce the catabolic or decaying process. Ordinarily the anabolic process predominates until the age of 18. From 18 to 35 there is balance between the two, and after 35 the catabolic process dominates.
Meditation can significantly reduce the catabolic decline.
This is because of the innate receptivity of the body cells. Each of our body cells is governed by the instinctive subconscious mind. They have both an individual and a collective conciousness. It has been scientifically proven that positive thoughts bring positive result to cells. As meditation brings about a prolonged positive state of mind , it rejuvenates body cells and retards decay.