In scientific studies, those who practiced mindfulness experienced "reduced bilateral amygdala activation and greater widespread prefrontal cortical activation"(Creswell, Way, Eisenberger, and Lieberman (2007). The amygdala is a part of the brain that is involved with experiencing emotions, while the prefrontal cortex involves decision-making. This suggests that mindful practice helps individuals respond in a more calm, clear-headed manner. |
"In recent years, mindfulness has become increasingly popular, and with very good reason; there is a growing body of research indicating that mindfulness provides many physical, psychological, and even performance-enhancing benefits. If fact, the benefits have been so dramatic that many organizations have started offering mindfulness programs to their employees. The U.S. Army and companies such as Aetna, Apple, General Mills, Yahoo, Starbucks, the NFL and Google use it to their benefit, with Google going so far to offer their employees a 19-hour course on the subject, which is so popular that thousands of “Googlers” take it each year.
Beyond the benefits of increased attention, mindfulness is also about focusing one's awareness on the present moment and doing so without judgment. By being mindful, you can let go of preconceived notions, worries, or anxiety by focusing on the things around you or a specific task at hand. For instance, stop reading this for just a moment, take a deep breath and focus on where you are, what you see, what you hear, what you may smell, and what you feel. Simply pause and reflect. Mindfulness has been found to be instrumental in cultivating the right mindset, building resilience, and driving personal progress. It has been scientifically tested and shown to be a key element in the overall contentment and long-term happiness of individuals who practice it." -Michael Frazier, Mindfulness, Mindset, Moxie, and Mojo: Job-Seeker Success |