19 Jan What really makes mindfulness work
I talk and write about mindfulness quite often in the context of happiness and positive psychology which is why I thought you might enjoy this weekend reading…
What really makes mindfulness work – by Elisha Goldstein
Whether we're struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma or existential angst, most of us are looking for what really helps. To make any change we have to cultivate an awareness of what's happening, and in this awareness we access the possibility of choice to try something different. But while mindfulness is a simple practice, it's not always so easy to practice it in our lives. Our mind pops up with reasons why we're too busy, skeptical or just unmotivated.
Today I want to share with you some evidence that I find highly motivating to get us going with mindfulness, a new resource and offering to help us truly understand how to make mindfulness work in our lives, and a practice to get started now.
One thing that really seems to help a lot of people in getting motivated is understanding the impact we now know it has on the brain:
Did you know that mindfulness practice is showing that we can grow the area of our brain that's responsible for learning and memory (the hippocampus)? So there'll be less of the, "Honey, did you remember where I put my keys?"
Did you know that mindfulness practice is showing a reduction in the fear center of the brain (amygdala) and an increase in the rational brain (prefrontal cortex), so as you practice you rewire a steadier mind?
Did you know that mindfulness practice is being connected to lower depression scores, and we can actually see why in the brain?
Did you know there are areas of the brain we now know are connected to empathy and compassion, and we're seeing growth in those areas too with mindfulness?
This is real evidence…
…keep reading more, and the full & original article HERE