Scienctific Findings Say: Meditation and Mindfulness Works

Science Says: Meditation and Mindfulness Works

YOU ARE THE WAVES –

June 3, 2021 – Not a trait or a practice, mindfulness is instead a state of being. Here are some of the common takeaways they found: Reduced Rumination. In 2008, participants of a 10-day meditation retreat reported fewer symptoms related to depression, including overthinking and a lack of focus, compared to a control group.

Stress Reduction. A 2010 meta-analysis of 39 studies based on mindfulness stress reduction found that the practice was useful to promote the change of processes that are associated with clinical diagnoses. Boost in Working Memory. During an eight-week mindfulness retreat in early 2010, one military group experienced self-reported increase in memory capacity compared to one non-meditating military group and one non-meditating civilian group.
Decreased Emotional Reactivity. In a group that had varying levels of mindfulness meditation practice in 2007, researchers saw that the practice helped participants step away from emotionally upsetting pictures and into a cognitive task, compared to those who saw the pictures, did not meditate, and were less focused on said task.While these studies are limited in scope, there is new research dedicated to minimizing any harmful effects that might come with mindfulness programs, as not everyone will have the same reaction or success. The ultimate goal of their work, led by Brown University’s Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, is the same as mindfulness techniques themselves. Mitigating harm, promoting well-being — all while being on the correct path for your own progression. So, is mindfulness a cure-all for stress or a solution to all of life’s challenges? Of course not. But science supports that it can boost performance, and actionable practices like meditation — one of the cornerstones of mindfulness — can help us navigate many of life’s challenges.