All articles tagged with #mindfulness
An essay urging readers to put away their phones during milestone moments so memories form in the mind rather than in digital archives. The author recalls moments from a sabbatical and family life—such as a daughter’s home run—illustrating that some experiences aren’t recoverable or deletable and are best preserved as lived memory rather than captured footage.
Stress is the body’s natural fight-or-flight response and can become damaging when chronic; common triggers include work, finances, sleep, and technology. Evidence-based relief includes regular exercise, solid sleep, balanced nutrition, mindfulness practices (yoga, journaling, meditation), focused breathing, time outdoors, boundaries around devices, social support, and professional help like CBT or medications when stress disrupts health or relationships.
In a randomized eight‑week trial at Kyung Hee University with 114 office workers, researchers found that using a four‑week mobile mindfulness app (InMind) reduced stress and boosted focus and work engagement. Benefits were strongest when participants also silenced their phones, which cut interruptions, reclaimed cognitive capacity, improved sleep, and supported a flow state and present communication. The study, published in Computers in Human Behavior, reinforces how deliberate digital boundaries—like a silent phone—can foster attention and workplace well‑being.
Experts say the TikTok trend of silent walking—about 20–30 minutes of walking without music or podcasts—may benefit heart health by lowering blood pressure and stress hormones, boosting mood, and encouraging mindfulness. While the practice can be sustainable and restorative, researchers note that balance with music or motivation can help some people stay active.
A 2022 US study found that more than 10% of regular meditators report significant adverse effects—such as anxiety, depersonalization, or psychosis—that can disrupt daily functioning for a month or more. The findings echo long-standing warnings in Buddhist texts and contrast with the mindfulness industry’s promotion of benefits, as some research shows no mental-health gains or even harm for vulnerable groups.
New research shows mindfulness and meditation can trigger adverse effects such as anxiety, depression, psychotic symptoms, and dissociation, even in people without prior mental-health issues, with a major UK study finding no mental-wellbeing benefit for at‑risk youths. The piece calls for ethical warnings, safer practice guidelines, and greater awareness of potential harm in the mindfulness industry.
A meta-analysis of 154 studies (10,189 participants) finds venting anger does not reliably reduce anger and may even increase it; the key to taming anger is lowering physiological arousal through calming activities such as slow-flow yoga, mindfulness, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or taking a timeout. Reflection on underlying causes and, when helpful, CBT can aid some, but arousal-reducing strategies generally beat venting—even vigorous exercise like jogging can backfire. The findings, published in Clinical Psychology Review, challenge the catharsis myth and support calming techniques as the best option.
A small MEG study of 12 Theravada monk meditators finds two meditation methods shape brain activity differently: Samatha yields a stable, focused state, while Vipassana nudges the brain toward 'criticality'—an optimal balance between chaos and order that may enhance information processing and learning. Experienced meditators show brain activity closer to resting patterns, gamma oscillations can decrease (suggesting less external processing), and some practitioners report anxiety or other drawbacks. The findings contribute to understanding how meditation reshapes neural dynamics and were published in Neuroscience of Consciousness (2025).
Dr. Adam Perlman, a functional medicine doctor, has methodically tweaked his daily routine to support metabolic health. His three focus areas are: 1) a protein-forward, plant-rich diet with a wide variety of foods and fermented items, while avoiding ultra-processed foods; 2) optimized sleep (blackout shades, a noise machine, and a cooler bedroom) and clear boundaries around bedtime; and 3) morning mindfulness through a brief meditation routine. He also maintains regular strength training and Krav Maga, and he views meals as a balance of protein and vegetables to support fat loss and hormonal health, drawing on recent gut microbiome research to guide his choices.
A practical plan to rebuild attention spans: first, audit when and why your mind wanders; second, reduce distractions with small frictions, intentional breaks, and task planning; third, extend focus through mindfulness practice, deliberate breaks, nature time, and structured work rituals like batching interruptions.
Research suggests that putting down your phone and allowing your mind to wander through daydreaming can enhance well-being, boost creativity, improve problem-solving, and strengthen social connections, offering deeper benefits than passive phone use.
The article suggests 27 things to give up in the new year, such as excessive news consumption, negative self-talk, mindless phone use, and holding grudges, emphasizing that removing these habits can lead to faster and more meaningful personal growth.
To overcome a fitness rut, the article suggests six strategies: strengthening your athletic identity, focusing on process goals rather than outcomes, habit stacking to integrate workouts into daily routines, creating dedicated high-performance environments, practicing mindful exercise, and maintaining flexibility in your training schedule. These approaches can help rekindle motivation and make exercise a more enjoyable and sustainable part of life.
The article explores the practice of transcendental meditation (TM) and its advanced form, yogic flying, as experienced by the author during a retreat at the Maharishi Peace Palace. It discusses the techniques, scientific effects on the brain, and notable practitioners like David Lynch and Ray Dalio, suggesting TM may be more impactful than expected, with potential for profound mental and physical benefits.
Researchers have found that mindfulness techniques can help calm ChatGPT's simulated 'anxiety' caused by traumatic content, offering insights into AI's potential role in mental health support, though limitations and safety concerns remain.