Understanding the Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

According to thousands of years of tradition, Buddhists meditate to understand themselves and their connections to all beings. By doing so, they hope to be released from suffering and ultimately gain enlightenment.

In recent decades, researchers have been gaining insight into the benefits of practicing this ancient tradition. By studying different versions of mindfulness meditation, they’ve found that learning to pay attention to our current experiences and accept them without judgment might indeed help us to be happier. Studies to date suggest that mindfulness affects many aspects of our psychological well-being – improving our mood, increasing positive emotions and decreasing our anxiety, emotional reactivity and job or school burnout.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.

Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.

Why Practice It?

Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness, even for just a few weeks, can bring a variety of physical, psychological and social benefits. Here are some of these benefits, which extend across many different settings.

Mindfulness is good for our bodies – Practicing mindfulness meditation boosts our immune system’s ability to fight off illness. Practicing mindfulness may also improve sleep quality.

Mindfulness is good for our minds – Mindfulness increases positive emotions while reducing negative emotions and stress.

Mindfulness changes our brains – Research has found that it increases density of gray matter in brain regions linked to learning, memory, emotion regulation and empathy.

Mindfulness helps us focus –  Mindfulness helps us tune out distractions and improves our memory, attention skills and decision-making.

Mindfulness fosters compassion and altruism – Mindfulness training makes us more likely to help someone in need and increases our understanding of the suffering of others. Evidence suggests it might boost self-compassion as well.

Mindfulness enhances relationships – Mindfulness training makes couples more satisfied with their relationship, makes each partner feel more optimistic and relaxed, and makes them feel more accepting of and closer to one another.

Mindfulness affects the way we see ourselves – More mindful people have a stronger sense of self and seem to act more in line with their values. They may also have a healthier body image and more self-esteem.

Mindfulness makes us more resilient – Mindfulness training could help people who suffer from PTSD and child abuse. It is also proven to help caregivers.

Mindfulness is good for parents and parents-to-be – Studies suggest it may reduce pregnancy-related anxiety, stress and depression in expectant parents.

Mindfulness may be beneficial to teens – Practicing mindfulness can help teens reduce stress and depression, and increase their self-compassion and happiness.

Mindfulness helps schools – Teaching mindfulness in the classroom reduces behavior problems, aggression and depression among students, and improves their happiness levels, self-regulation and ability to pay attention.

Mindfulness helps health care professionals cope with stress, connect with their patients and improve their general quality of life.

Mindfulness helps in prisons – Mindfulness reduces anger, hostility and mood disturbances among prisoners by increasing their awareness of their thoughts and emotions, helping with their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Mindfulness helps veterans – Mindfulness can reduce the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Mindfulness fights obesity – Practicing “mindful eating” encourages healthier eating habits, helps people lose weight and helps them savor the food they do eat. QCBN

By Deanna Eder

Polara Health Senior Peer Program teaches a free Mindful Meditation Group once a week for adults ages 60 and over. If you would like more information, please call Senior Peer Program Manager Melanie Jacobson at 928-445-5211 ext. 2035.

Deanna Eder is the director of marketing and communications at Polara Health. For more information, visit polarahealth.com.