Mindfulness can be conceptualized as a feature of self-regulation, which is defined as “an awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment” (Kabat-Zinn, 2003, p. 145). The original concept of mindfulness is based on the Buddhist teaching, Vipassana meditation (Anapasathi Bawana). In Buddhist teaching, mindfulness is deliberated as a mental state of awareness about the present moment, with an attitude of lack of judgment. According to Tanay & Bernstein (2013) mindfulness is an important mental state that includes various qualities such as awareness, compassion, careful attention to the present moment, and familiarity to one’s subjective experience. …show more content…
Researches carried out with a sample of undergraduate students have explored a negative correlation between mindfulness and mental distress (Bowlin & Baer, 2012; Kiken & Shook, 2012). Stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms are commonly stated experiences among university students (Sreernamareddy, Shankar , Binu, Mukhipadhyay, Ray, & Menezes , 2007) Stressors may result in anxiety, depression and poor sleep quality (Lemma, Gelaye, Berhane, Worku, & Williams , 2012) poor academic performance (Stewart, Lam, Betson, Wong, & Wong , 1999) alcohol and substance abuse, reduced life satisfaction and quality of life (Said, Kypri, & Bowman, 2013; Adlaf, Demers, & Gliksman , 2005). Literature shows a significant increase in major psychological problems such as stress, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder among collage students (Dyson & Renk, 2006). Research has found a positive correlation between emotional capability and psychological health (Schonert-Reichl & Lawlor 2010) and benefits in mental and physical health conditions (Germer & Siegel, 2012). A study carried out with nursing professionals suggest that mindfulness can be an successful and low-cost way to reduce symptoms of stress and burnout and improve quality of life (Cohen-Katz, Wiley, Capuano, Baker , & Shapiro,
Mindfulness meditation is a growth of person`s perception at the present time and some people think is a unique way to overcome anxiety and discover greater wisdom in our minds. A person who practices this meditation tries to get rid of any unwanted thoughts, concentrate on present ones, focus on attention and breathing. Some contemporary psychotherapists suggest that we can train our mind by practicing mindfulness meditation. Often almost all people catch themselves on thoughts that transfers from the present to the past and future. This is called mind wandering. This can be very distracting when a person tries to focus on certain task. Naturally, people who experience less mind wandering demonstrated greater mindfulness, and previous studies showed that practicing mindfulness meditation even for eight minutes can increase and mind wandering will decrease (Hafenbrack, 2013).
Each subtopic area features different reasons to use mindfulness and the impacts of mindfulness on the subtopic area. The future research that is proposed in the article is the mindfulness field itself. The article recognizes although mindfulness has been utilized for decades the study of the practice is still fairly new. Several issues arose in the article. Two issues that stood out were the measurement of mindfulness and the lack of agreement of the mindfulness construct. The article uses several findings from different methodologies to show that mindfulness can be beneficial and that there is still much to learn about the topic such as the agreement of the
Mindfulness is a concept or practice that was founded nearly 2600 years ago. It is a very integral component of the Buddhist faith and is believed to be associated with many benefits including self-control, tolerance, flexibility, objectivity, concentration, mental clarity, emotional intelligence, kindness, compassion, acceptance, and equanimity.
A great many research and peer-reviewed scientific papers demonstrate that mindfulness upgrades mental and physical wellbeing and decreases chronic pain. Clinical trials demonstrate that mindfulness is at any rate as compelling as the primary remedy painkillers while additionally improving the body's common recuperating frameworks.
There are many forms of mindfulness interventions, some of which include mindfulness based stress reduction, mindfulness based cognitive therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Some mindfulness interventions incorporate mindfulness meditation practices and skills and others incorporate psychological and behavioral versions of mindfulness skills. Mindfulness based interventions entail mindfulness meditation practices and skills gathered from Buddhist philosophical origins, and transformed into a secular context to encompass a more universal perspective and application. Through mindfulness group and in-home practices, individuals develop mindfulness skills and attitudes, which include focusing, maintaining attention through focusing on ones breath, accepting one’s current circumstance and experience, which also includes awareness of physical sensations, all by taking a non-judgmental stance. Furthermore, the three primary components of mindfulness are attitude, attention, and intention. Attitudinal components include non-judgment, acceptance, trust, patience, curiosity, and kindness; Attentional components include maintaining focus and the ability to switch focuses; Intentional components include having an intention to practice and to intentionally self-regulate ones attention. Incorporating these concepts into ones life helps the individual be able to shift their habitual patterns through observation and recognition, and embark on a path of reflective response rather than maladaptive reactive behavior (Burke,
Mindfulness originates from a deeply rooted system of contemplative practice. An individual cannot achieve the benefits of mindfulness training unless they continue practicing mindfulness techniques after the training is completed. By practicing meditation on a regular basis, mindfulness becomes an intentional practice (Holas & Jankowski,
For thousands of years people have practiced mediation for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Albeit there are many mediation types, in this paper I will be discussing and focusing on mindfulness mediation. Before further exploring mindfulness mediation, it is crucial to define mediation as a whole. Tang, Holzel, & Posner, 2016 state “Meditation can be defined as a form of mental training that aims to improve an individual’s core psychological capacities, such as attentional and emotional capacities” (p.213). Having that in mind, we can dive into mindfulness mediation. Mindfulness meditation is defined as “nonjudgmental attention to present-moment experiences (Tang, Holzel, & Posner, 2016).” A useful analogy to consider is going to the gym, going to the gym allows one to enhance the body, well similarly, practicing mindfulness is akin to taking the mind to the psychic gym, it enhances it. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on your breathing and then bringing your mind’s attention to the present all while dismissing discursive thoughts and maintaining a special focus on breathing.
When mindfulness is thought of, mediation comes to mind. However, meditation is not the only way mindfulness is used. Mindfulness practices may have originated from Buddhism, yet mindfulness interventions are based on the philosophy that promotes positive outcomes for mental and physical health (Hardison & Roll, 2016). It is also defined at a state of
May and O’Donovan (2007) explored the correlation between mindfulness, well-being, burnout, and job satisfaction in counselors. Findings showed that higher levels of present-moment, nonjudgmental, and mindful awareness were related to cognitive and emotional well-being and job satisfaction. While their findings concluded that a mindful practice did not enhance mindful awareness, May and O’Donovan (2007) suggested that mindful awareness can improve the functioning of therapists and ultimately improve client
Mindfulness is an ideal that has been present for thousands of years (positivepsychologyprogram.com). It has roots in almost every major religion: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and most renown, Buddhism and Hinduism (positivepsychologyprogram.com). Psychology Today defines mindfulness as “a state of active, open attention on the present.” Dr. Shauna Shapiro during a TEDx Talk defines mindfulness as “intentionally paying attention with kindness” (Shapiro, S., 2017). Mindfulness has many principles involved with it, but the short version is to be aware. It is to be aware of the present moment deliberately. Jon Kabat-Zinn, considered the father of the western movement for mindfulness by some, defines mindfulness as, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (Bodhipaksa, 2007). We, as humans, get caught up in the business of life; so, we need to stay oriented to the present. Another way to describe this is “acting with awareness rather than on ‘automatic autopilot’” (Caldwell, et al, 2010). Mindfulness is non-judgmental about life. Mindfulness is to not be over-reactive by what’s going on around us (mindful.org). Mindfulness is being non-reactive to your environment. There are many things that stem from this thinking,
According to Jain et. al. (2007), mindfulness can be traced back to the beginning of Buddhism. The
“Mindfulness is described through systematic mental training that develops meta-awareness (self-awareness), an ability to effectively modulate one 's behavior (self-regulation), and a positive relationship between self and other that transcends self-focused needs and increases prosocial characteristics (self-transcendence).”
Mindfulness involves accepting our thoughts and emotions without judgment, and without believing that there is a right or wrong way to feel in a given situation. Our thoughts and emotions are not labeled as good or bad. They are observed as simply happening until they pass. While practicing mindfulness one does not rehash the past or imagine the future. Attention is focused on what is being sensed in the present moment. There is a sense of self apart from things. Mindfulness is moment to moment awareness and purposefully placing attention on things that we wouldn’t normally give a second thought to. Mindfulness can be thought of as a way of being, rather than an activity. It is the awareness of wondering thoughts and purposefully directing them back, rather than letting them
Mindfulness is arguably one of the best things a human can do when it comes to relieving stress. Some can argue that that the best way to relieve stress would be to exercise or consume alcohol, but mindfulness is different in the fact that a person can stay focused without being judgemental (Davis & Hayes, 2010). This is critical when it comes to relieving stress because college can mentally weigh a person down. If a post-secondary student is able to effectively use mindfulness based stress reduction, this could help relieve the stress and prevent future problems such as depression or anxiety. Although there are many methods in relieving stress, mindfulness based stress reduction is a beneficial method in relieving college students’ stress
Hence, what is mindfulness meditation? Mindfulness refers to the state of being attentive to and aware of what is taking place in the present with no judgment. Whereby, meditation is a spiritual and introspective practice involving components of both analysis and concentration as a part of a process of becoming aware of the present surroundings and the mind (Gordon et al., 2013). Meditation can also be defined as the practice of revolving your attention to a single phenomenon, which include focusing on the breathing,