How does mindfulness help me?

Mindfulness is a way to stay focused in the present because too often our minds become cluttered with the distractions of modern life. Just like Harrison, many people may feel overwhelmed at times. Ask yourself: How much time do you spend thinking about the past? How much time do you spend worrying about the future? A lot? Well that’s totally normal!!! But we don’t want to forget about the present because the present matters too. We want to be able to enjoy and live fully in the present moment and this is what mindfulness helps us to do.

People who regularly practice mindfulness will tell you how much more in control of their lives and calm it makes them feel. But don’t just take their word for it. Scientific research shows that mindfulness makes people happier and healthier; it lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels, increases immune response, improves sleep and even enhances creativity. (source: https://mindfulnessinschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/MiSP-Research-Summary-2012.pdf)

In fact for people suffering from depression, when mindfulness was combined with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy – the best known counseling treatment for depression), the combination resulted in the same improvements that would have been seen from taking an antidepressant.

Not enough proof that mindfulness works? Well how about actual changes in your brain? MRI scans (Magnetic Resonating Images – like a super x-ray without the nasty side effects) show that meditating for a half hour daily can increase grey matter density (our brain cells) in an area essential for focus, memory and comprehension. Prior research showed monks (who have meditated for approximately 10,000 plus hours) had extraordinary growth and activity in this part of the brain.

But how exactly can mindfulness help you in your daily life? Mindfulness helps the average person to stay on task because it trains the brain to stay focused. Moreover, it helps the average person to be less controlled by his/her thoughts, which in turn causes a decrease in anxiety and stress.

In fact 163 studies show that mindfulness lowers anxiety levels. How? Largely by being able to stay focused on the present moment and to not be controlled by negative thoughts. Mindfulness teaches the brain that when a negative thought pops into your head, you don’t have to be overwhelmed by it. Instead, it becomes just another thought, one that you can choose to pay attention to, or one you can ignore. Settling the mind like this changes, for the better, the actual size of the brain area that promotes fear, anxiety and paranoia – the amygdala. Yes, you read that right – mindfulness helps shrink the area of your brain that promotes anxiety! (Source: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/what-does-mindfulness-meditation-do-to-your-brain/)

Post Question:

What do you do to control the negative thoughts in your head?

Answer the post question here

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What's being said

  • WLKHS2223
    Posted at 17:44h, 26 February Reply

    Although it is difficult to control the negative thoughts, the way I do it is to stay grounded and focused towards what is happening in the moment. Far too often I think about the assignments and responsibilities I have in the future. Therefore, to get the negative thoughts out, I relax, grab a book or my phone, and once I am calm, continue to work towards my goals while focusing on the present,

  • wlkhs2206
    Posted at 17:43h, 26 February Reply

    when I get a negative thought i just try to ignore it but if I cant i will try to do something I like too get my mind off it or you can do what the passage was saying and you can meditate for 30 minutes and see if that helps.

  • WLKHS2205
    Posted at 17:41h, 26 February Reply

    I control the negative thoughts in my head by focusing on something I enjoy. For example, if I feel bad about a grade on a test, I will often think of something that i did well, or something fun that I’ve done over the past few days. I also realize that everyone makes mistakes. Even though bad things may happen there are many good things that i enjoy doing,

  • WLKHS2210
    Posted at 17:41h, 26 February Reply

    To control negative thoughts in my head, I often try to use breathing techniques that I have learned. Furthermore, I might also try to distract myself by doing a different task or by talking to someone, As well as doing that, I might try writing or meditation.

  • WLKHS2204
    Posted at 17:41h, 26 February Reply

    I usually try to remind myself of things that are more important than what is stressing me out. I also like to listen to music that I feel like listening to inthat moment. If I am having a real breakdown with my negative thoughts I usually shut down and sleep or try to rest.

  • wlkhs2202
    Posted at 17:40h, 26 February Reply

    If I’m on my phone or somehow distracting myself, I will take a couple minutes to stop what I’m doing and focus on that thought. I will give myself solutions to my problem or change that thought into something more positive. After I do that, I will try to relax my body and not think about anything at all. I like meditation, so sometimes I’ll make up a story or movie in my head that calms me down.

  • wlkhs2219
    Posted at 17:40h, 26 February Reply

    To control the negative thoughts in my head I usually talk to a friend or a teacher I trust to work through them. If I can’t do that, I usually work it out myself, but if it becomes too stressful I leave it alone for a while, giving myself time to relax. By giving myself time to relax I am able to come back to the problem with a fresh mind and am more likely to be able to figure out a solution.

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