A Closer Look At What Mindfulness Does To Your Brain

Mindfulness is a new buzzword that’s turned into a multibillion-dollar industry. From meditation apps like Calm and Headspace to yoga and meditation studios popping up around every corner, it’s clear that the mindfulness movement is in full swing.

But what is mindfulness exactly and why all the hype?

We live in a hyperconnected world where it’s easy for us to lose ourselves in the mechanical routines of our day-to-day lives. We’re connected 24/7. Our busy schedules make it easy for us to live life on autopilot going through the motions day after day.

Unfortunately, living this way can make you fail to notice the beauty of life and the world around you. Over time, these conditioned ways of living and thinking can be emotionally damaging to ourselves and others.

This is why mindfulness is one of the pillars of holistic wellness.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Mindfulness

There is nothing we possess more fully than our minds. Mindfulness helps us stay focused on the here and now which allows us to practice gratitude. Research shows that meditation-based programs can treat several common psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder to name a few.

Now, as we find ourselves in the middle of a ‘Shelter in Place’ Order, there’s never been a better time to focus on the present. The good news is you have all the tools you need to be mindful because mindfulness about self-awareness. Mindfulness can help you develop a clear perspective of your strengths, beliefs, emotions, and more.

Furthermore, having a better understanding of ourselves can help us live life as unique individuals with different talents, interests, and personalities. It helps us build on our areas of strengths and identify areas where we’d like to make personal improvements

What Mindfulness Does To Your Brain

It turns out that a few hours of quiet reflection each week could profoundly change the way different regions of the brain communicate with each other. Studies using fMRI technology showed that mindfulness shrinks the amygdala- the brain’s natural fight-or-flight response.

As the amygdala shrinks, the prefrontal cortex becomes thicker. This is significant because the prefrontal cortex is the area commonly associated with our concentration and decision-making abilities. In other words, the connection between these two parts of the brain during mindfulness can increase our focus and concentration and decrease the anxieties associated with our fight or flight response (the amygdala). source 

Understanding Your ‘Right Now’

Above all, we understand that your ‘new normal’ might look a little different than your old routine. People across the world are facing the emotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re here to help.

Let’s talk about what’s going on in your life and how alternative treatments can change your life for the better.