If Mindfulness Were a Pill, We Should ALL Be Taking It!

 Stress has become more and more a part of life as times have become so fast-paced and we live in a digital age. Whether it is at home, living with our parents and siblings and the obligations that we carry towards our family or it is at the workplace where we have to work long hours and submit some or the other work by the deadline to our seniors. Anxiety and depression are two side effects of stress and we have no other choice but to find a way to deal with these mental health issues. 

Headspace | Mini Meditation | Let Go of Stress

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Ndym-IsQg

Whether it is daily stress or chronic stress, this constant mental tension or even described as a state of worry has physiological effects on our bodies. From causing pain, tightness or soreness in the muscles to affecting our heart rate, stress can even worsen skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea or psoriasis. It can also impact the digestive system, trigger tension on your shoulders, head and jaw; weaken your immune system and even affect your menstrual cycle where you may even skip a month!   

 

Wow! Such a large number of negative effects of just STRESS on our health! This is exactly where mindfulness comes into the picture and how it can help to ease the stress down!

Originating from ancient Eastern and Buddhist philosophy, Mindfulness dates back over 2550 years and Jon Kabbat-Zin is known to be the founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction. An American professor of medicine and the creator of the ‘Stress Reduction Clinic’ which soon enough turned into Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) which dealt with pain, illness and stress. 

 

A 10-Minute Meditation for Stress from Headspace 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS0kcSNlULw

The program mindfulness training program assists people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and pain. Using a combination of meditation, mindfulness, yoga, body awareness and exploration of patterns of behaviour, thinking, feeling and action, this program is a non-judgmental acceptance and investigation of one’s present experience, emotions, thoughts and one's internal state.    

 

Over the years, mindfulness has been found to be very effective for psychiatric conditions, eating disorders, insomnia, psychological distress, cancer care and many other health conditions. It has also been used with many cognitive behavioural therapies for treatment purposes.   

 

A British philosopher and writer who is known for having popularized Eastern philosophy in the West and who also practised mindfulness had also said, “A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts and loses touch with reality.” 

 

Meditation practice isn't about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already.” “If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky.

 

Mindfulness is all about deepening one’s awareness and focusing one’s mind for a period of time to support mental and emotional well-being. Many famous personalities such as Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Tom Hanks, Kate Perry, etc. have all been active mindfulness practitioners. 

 

Some of the most respected mindfulness teachers of the modern day include Pema Chodron, Ram Dass aka Richard Alpert, Deepak Chopra, Sara Auster, Jack Kornfield, Thich Nhat Hanh, Kristen Neff, Eckhart Tolle, Emily Fletcher, Satya Narayan Goenka, Sharon Salzberg, Andy Puddicombe, Susan Piver, Jeff Warren and Michael Beckwith. 

 

Mindfulness apps are very important for enhancing one's mental health. They include guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, tracking progress, setting goals and integrating mindfulness into our daily routines.

 

Some of the best apps which can help you practice mindful meditation are Headspace, Calm, Meditopia, Mindfulness Coach and Smiling Mind.