Mindfulness Training for Stress Reduction

With its roots in Buddhism, mindfulness training for stress reduction is gaining inroads into Western medicine. Studies have shown that the use of mindfulness training can also stop depression and prevent its return, and it can also aid in the treatment of anger or relationship issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, addictions, stress disorders and chronic pain.

The emotional distress that plagues many people comes about from conditioning, thoughts, reactions and behaviors. Most people are unable to control stress because they cannot discern the cause. Slowing down the onslaught of emotions and thoughts that lead to stress, then relaxing, and finding an inner peace, are some of the techniques learned through mindfulness training. 

Meditation classes typically include exercises to enhance awareness and guided instructions for meditation. Through these classes, students learn to modify their behavior to stop the negative cycle of stress.

According to Calgary Psychology, mindfulness is a technique that teaches students to dwell in a state of total awareness, insight and deep relaxation. By maintaining an inner space of stillness and an open mind and heart, the wisdom and clarity that can be found in every moment can become clear.

The mindful person calmly pays attention to his or her emotions, thoughts, breathing, perceptions and body sensations. He or she lives in the moment instead of worrying about the future or the past. Emotions and thoughts are accepted without reactivity. 

According to the book, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse, those who have beliefs that “link a person's self-esteem with events that, large or small, are often outside his control” are the ones likely to fall prey to relapses.

Mindfulness: From the Beginning

The origins of mindfulness training are the ancient Buddhist traditions from approximately 2,500 year ago. Ancient texts indicate that mindfulness is the core teaching of Buddhism. The texts state that mindfulness is an attentional stance embedded in ethical frameworks that are centered on not harming yourself or others. Though this ethical framework, humans gain insight into human suffering and how it can be relieved.

Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, the practice known as MBSR was first offered at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1970. At the time, MBSR was described as educational instead of a form of psychotherapy. 

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