The Benefits Of Meditation And Mindfulness Training

By Jerry Nelson


Most everyone at one time or another has heard of being in the present moment or living in the now. Most often, this type of practice refers to Mindfulness Training. For, the practice is the psychological aspect of focusing on activities and actions in the present.

Most often, individuals whom wish to attain a mindful state in the moment use meditation as a tool to do so. For, regardless of a meditation schedule, individuals can practice meditation at any given time or place. Whereas, the concept of mindfulness is actually based on ancient Zen Buddhist and Tibetan meditation.

Whether used to treat anxiety, reduce stress or treat alcohol and drug addiction, the practice has often proved successful. In addition, some schools, hospitals, prisons, senior and veterans centers have also incorporated the practice into activities and medical appointments. Whether activities are focused on special needs children, athletic performance, weight management or healthy aging, practicing mindfulness in these and other areas can often be beneficial.

Studies and trials have shown that children and adults of all ages tend to benefit whether in a healthy, ill or injured state. Whereas, research studies have also indicated positive results associated with mindfulness and psychological health. In fact, one area in which the practice has shown great promise is in treating psychosis, a condition in which more traditional methods and medications have often failed.

The practice has also proved beneficial in eliminating a number of other mental disorders through the elimination of worry and rumination. In addition, the practice has shown the potential to halt the development of ADHD, ADD, ODD and other behavioral oriented mental health issues. As such, a number of studies and trials related to these areas are now underway at different clinics, hospitals and universities around the world.

To get the most out of a meditative session, it is best to sit or lie down in a quiet room. Whether sitting in a chair with back support or sitting cross-legged, most individuals feel this is the best position for meditation. Whereas, there are a number of different methods individuals can use during the session which can help create a sense of mindfulness, these include breathing techniques, body scanning and mental exercises.

By focusing on breath, individuals can often eliminate external thoughts and distractions during meditation. For, when focused on oneself in the present moment, all other cares and thoughts tend to fade away. Whereas, if using body scanning techniques, individuals often find that different areas of the body provide different sensations during a session.

When beginning meditation for the first time, it is often recommended that individuals meditate for up to 10 minutes per session. In most cases, individuals tend to meditate at least once, if not twice a day. While this is the case, the time an individual spends meditating on a daily or weekly basis while in a session can often be vastly different between individuals based on home, school, work and other schedules. As such, each individual must create a meditation schedule which works best with these and other factors.




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