I've practiced meditation sine 1992. I started with Buddhist meditation. I have obtained focus and better physical stamina from sitting zazen. Lessening anxiety? Pffffft.
"...By the second week...all anxiety is gone. Well, sure. Someone is cooking all your meals...cleaning up your living and sleeping space. All you have to do is eat, sleep, meditate, take a shower, and do little activities like flower arranging, and taking walks. When you come back to the world it lasts for a couple of days...then back to modern life and anxiety." -Precisely.