What is it about?
Being mindful and practicing mindfulness are buzzwords that are used colloquially. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of you have been told to “BE MINDFUL”? Yet, what does it REALLY mean to be mindful or to cultivate mindfulness? There is a LOT of variance regarding theoretical and practical definitions of mindfulness, which is why it is a particularly ambiguous concept. Despite the inconsistencies in defining what mindfulness is or what it means to “be mindful”, a vast literature of controlled studies found that being mindful (ie, practicing mindfulness meditation) is related to improved mental health across a variety of disorders. This review paper talks about the mechanisms behind mindfulness meditation's positive impact upon psychological well-being. More specifically, I review how through mindfulness practice, attentional skills are cultivated and cultivated. These skills generate improved ability to decrease rumination. Decreased rumination is associated with psychological well-being.
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Why is it important?
Ultimately, mindfulness practice can make a difference in your Mind, Body, and Brain well-being!
Perspectives
Starting my own mindfulness practice was painstaking at times, but it deeply impacted upon me in many ways. I started to read as much as I could about what mindfulness is and how it can be applied. After a few months, I noticed a change in my own anxiety levels, which used to rise significantly when I had to write two 15-page neuropsychological reports in two days. Yet, the most profound effect mindfulness practice has had on me, is the way in which I view myself and my world. An actual meditation practice helps me to sit through a lot of uncomfortable feelings, instead of running from them. I am able to still the running critical monologue in my mind-those negative ruminations that make me feel anxious! Can you imagine NOT getting down ON yourself in this way? It is something I work on EVERY DAY. Join me!
Dr Jennifer R Wolkin
New York University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Cultivating multiple aspects of attention through mindfulness meditation accounts for psychological well-being through decreased rumination, Psychology Research and Behavior Management, June 2015, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s31458.
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