Research has demonstrated that mindfulness is a powerful tool in treating anxiety, but the practice of mindfulness is not well-known. A growing body of research has pointed to several specific components of mindfulness, including mental training, problem-solving, and practicing a gentle mindful attitude. In addition, with recent discoveries in the field of neuroplasticity, mindfulness can be “trained” by re-examining the context of your own thoughts and choices.
Neuroplasticity is the process in which the brain’s nerve cells, or neurons, in our brain grow or change over time. As a result, our thoughts and feelings change over time, which is another reason why mindfulness meditation is so effective in treating anxiety. Mindfulness involves looking inward at your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgement, as well as being aware of the sensations in the body. These components of mindfulness train your brain to change with repetition, similar to training muscles to become stronger. By training these brain components, our brain is able to create new neural pathways, thus improving our ability to regulate our emotions.
How to Start Meditation
Mindfulness involves three different components. The first is learning to be in the present moment, to be aware of your thoughts and your body sensations. Next, using a progressive stepping-stone approach, you can slowly train your brain to take in all of the sensations from your body. Finally, one of the most common elements of meditation is self-awareness, which is a practice of changing your thought pattern and habits to one that is more positive.
