Getting back to you
Mindfulness
How Effective is it? and is it worth doing?
I first came across this concept upon exploring yoga and haven’t stopped mastering this practice.
We are more and more living a reactive lifestyle and are overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Cases of depression, anxiety and simply lack of meaningful human interaction are ever so increasing and no dollar amount in your account or demographic status is resilient to these factors.It may have been a while since you took some time (yes time, it does exist) aside to be fully present.
This is truly one of the most beneficial acts you could do to get back in touch with you. Research is starting to show that you’re actually remodeling the physical structure of your brain by simply taking time out.
The basic practice involves intentionally placing your attention on the breath and observing each rise and fall. It is natural that your mind will wander but part of the practice is being aware of when this happens and being able to gently redirect your mind to the present and back to the breath.
I first came across this concept upon exploring yoga and haven’t stopped mastering this practice.
We are more and more living a reactive lifestyle and are overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Cases of depression, anxiety and simply lack of meaningful human interaction are ever so increasing and no dollar amount in your account or demographic status is resilient to these factors.It may have been a while since you took some time (yes time, it does exist) aside to be fully present.
This is truly one of the most beneficial acts you could do to get back in touch with you. Research is starting to show that you’re actually remodeling the physical structure of your brain by simply taking time out.
The basic practice involves intentionally placing your attention on the breath and observing each rise and fall. It is natural that your mind will wander but part of the practice is being aware of when this happens and being able to gently redirect your mind to the present and back to the breath.
Why should I be practicing mindfulness exercises?
This Budhist philosophy has reached out as far into some main stream Psychology professions today to assist with a range of physical and mental health problems including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, addiction and eating disorders.
There still is some way to go in rectifying the research that has been done in the earlier studies into mindfulness as it has found to be fraught with methodological problems and in particular, a lack of standardisation in how mindfulness is defined, measured and applied.
All that said, taking some time out, allowing your brain, heart and soul some downtime in this ever so busy lifestyle would surely be a great step to a happier you and for those loved ones around you.
Studies
Mindfulness-based stress reduction in the workplace: An Australian feasibility study
Authors: Joyce, S., Shand, F., Motton, N., & Bryant, R. A.Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 2016
References
Hassed, C., Chapman, A., & Cook, A. (2015). Mindfulness interventions in the workplace: A critique of the current state of the literature. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 20(2), 193-210. doi:10.1037/a0038698
Facts
Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that consistent mindfulness practice can lead to structural changes in the brain