Although mindfulness practice has roots in Buddhist meditation, it grew into the American mainstream as a secular practice through Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work. He launched the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program around fifty years ago. Ever since, there have been numerous authors, lecturers, and health professionals advocating for the benefits of this particular practice.
Mindfulness is the nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. With mindfulness, there is no dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Instead, mindful brings forth our conscious effort to pay attention to the right-here-right-now — our thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensory experiences, and surrounding environment. It’s a conscious awareness without judgment and without attachment. When practicing mindfulness, thoughts and emotions are not labeled; they are neither good nor bad.
It Can Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Research has shown that mindfulness can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Many people worry about the future. Also, many people ruminate over things that happened in the past. While it is normal to plan for the future or remember things that happened in the past, rumination or thinking about the worst-case scenarios can be counterproductive. Chronic rumination and excessive worry may lead to symptoms of depression or anxiety; focusing on the present can help us feel less anxious and become appreciative of the current moment.
Become a Conscious Thinker
If you observe an emotion without judgment through an objective lens, it may become easier to gain a different perspective about it. Mindfulness may also cause us to be more reflective rather than reactive or impulsive.
Increased Self-Esteem
It’s thought that no person is static – we are constantly changing and evolving. Some people may believe that being hard on themselves is good for them, but research shows that self-compassion is more beneficial. Self-compassion presents as a part of mindfulness and acknowledges your struggles while showing you kindness. Mindfulness can help you focus on yourself the way you are right now, at this moment, without the burdens of the past or expectations of the future. In addition, its nonjudgemental nature may be beneficial in helping to increase self-worth and self-esteem.
Physical health
Studies have also shown that stress may impair our immune system. However, mindfulness practices may be an effective practice for stress reduction, which makes us more able to fight off diseases, from a cold to cancer. It has been shown to decrease the stress hormone cortisol. Furthermore, mindful increases body awareness, resilience, relaxation skills, coping skills, and stress management, which may help improve our health and reduce the risk for various illnesses. Moreover, Studies have connected mindfulness to many health benefits, from lowered blood pressure to reduced chronic pain.
Attention
Mindfulness helps reduce multi-tasking since, with heedfulness, we are only focusing on one action at a time. Thus, it may help suppress distracting environmental information and help us focus on a given task. Furthermore, studies suggest that mindfulness practices may help improve our attention span.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction may be helpful for those who experience depression, anxiety, overwhelm, and stress. If you are looking for mindfulness in psychology and reside in Miami, Fl, They offer mindfulness therapy along with other modalities.
*All the information published in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Any information provided here is offered in generic form. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns
