The concept of mindfulness originated in Buddhist thinking and meditation practice over two-and-a-half thousand years ago. Its original purpose was to address and relieve self-induced suffering caused by the dysfunctional ways people habitually tend to respond to their experiences. While mindfulness has its primary roots in Buddhism, almost all religions encourage people to practice ways of shifting their thoughts away from their usual preoccupations and towards an appreciation of the moment and a larger perspective on life.
Over the past 30 years, mindfulness has become more secularized and simplified to suit a wider Western context. Today, the benefits of mindfulness, from stress reduction to relationship satisfaction to job performance, are numerous and well-documented in research.
Mindfulness can help improve:
Depression
Anxiety
Emotional pain/trauma
Emotional regulation
Focus and attention
High blood pressure
Immune function
Inflammation
Information processing
Insomnia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Memory
Menopausal symptoms
Physical pain
Relationship satisfaction
School performance
Smoking cessation
Spirituality
Stress reduction
Ulcerative colitis
Weight management
Work performance
Sometimes, it is easier to understand mindfulness in terms of what it is not. When you are not mindful, as we all are from time to time, you may find yourself doing more of the following:
Making mistakes because of carelessness, inattention or distraction
Using drugs or alcohol for distraction or to ease negative feelings
Failing to notice feelings of discomfort, stress or tension
Being overly preoccupied with the future or the past
Getting lost in your own thoughts and feelings
Rushing but never getting anything done
Feeling as though life is passing you by
Failing to pay attention to others
Over-reacting in emotional ways
Judging yourself harshly
Eating mindlessly
Listening poorly
The National Institute of Health (NIH) funds research on the benefits of meditation, including mindfulness meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction. They provide the following recommendations regarding the use of mindfulness meditation:
Don’t use meditation to replace conventional care or as a reason to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
Ask about the training and experience of the meditation instructor you are considering.
Help your healthcare providers provide better coordinated and safe care by telling them about your health approaches. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health.
The benefits of mindfulness, from stress reduction to relationship satisfaction to job performance, are numerous and well-documented. All you need to start is an open mind and perhaps 10-15 minutes of time.
