MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION ARE two words whose meanings depend on who you ask. So what is mindfulness meditation? Is it sitting still on a yoga mat? Is it repeating mantras in the Himalayan Mountains? Is it something totally different?
The answer is (drum roll please) … Yes! It is all those things and more. It is the practice of intentional, nonjudgmental awareness of moment-to-moment experiences, as defined by Dr. Dan Siegel, founding co-director of UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center.
While this type of practice seems like a way of improving your mental health, the benefits extend to your physical self as well. The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) technique was created in the 1970s by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Since then, the Center for Mindfulness at the UMass Medical School has found success curing many chronic pain and anxiety conditions with mindfulness meditation.
More recently, a study published in the Journal of Glaucoma revealed this same MBSR meditation technique as an effective treatment for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) when used over a 21-day period. The randomized study included 90 POAG patients and found the patients who meditated not only had lower intraocular pressure, but also significantly lower levels of the stress hormone Cortisol when compared to the control group. It’s time to consider beginning a mindfulness meditation practice of your own and perhaps making the recommendation to your patients.
I wholeheartedly believe in the power of meditation but don’t take my word for it, give it a try for yourself via one of the methods below.
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Video-Based Guided Meditation
A quick search for the keywords ‘guided meditation’ will yield a treasure trove of resources and online videos. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the results, I recommend starting with Dr. Dan Siegel’s guided mindfulness meditation.
App-Based Guided Meditation
Mobile applications like Headspace, Calm, and Omvana put the power of meditation in your pocket. You’re able to turn idle time into a chance to reconnect with yourself. Oprah and Deepak Chopra also have a “21-Day Meditation Experience” app focused on helping beginners develop a foundation.
IRL (In Real Life) Options
Many local yoga studios or healing centers offer meditation classes. Although these classes may lean towards the spiritual elements of meditation, they often provide an opportunity to receive in-person guided meditation in a space that’s welcoming and inviting. Additionally, mindful awareness practices like yoga, tai chi, and qi gong are effective in helping you achieve many of the same awareness benefits with a bit more movement.
Whether you choose to attend a yoga class, download an app, or watch a YouTube video — building a regular meditation practice can help you become mindful, improve focus, reduce stress, and achieve greater well-being. Happy meditating!
