Lessons in Mindfulness

Susan Wood
“Stress” and “anxiety” have become frequently used words in our lives, both in reference to ourselves and to our children. Many of us wear our overstimulation and multitasking as a badge of honor, however, high stress levels can cause mental and physical harm to our bodies. After reviewing research studies, Dr. Jeff Tarrant of the University of Missouri concluded that all subjects in all studies appear to benefit from mindfulness meditation, exercise, and gratitude.

Mindfulness techniques are some of the best lifestyle tools we have to control stress and anxiety. In fact, mindfulness-based interventions can actually rewire the brain. Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. Mindfulness involves a calm awareness of bodily functions, sensations, feelings, thoughts, perceptions, and consciousness itself. There has been an increase in research in the last few years which includes EEGs and MRIs showing brain changes after mindfulness meditation. Meditation is no longer a “one size fits all” activity. You can actually teach your brain to do something new. There are four styles of meditation:

· Focus – improve focus attention, executive functioning, brain brightening
· Mindfulness – calm awareness, ability to distance from thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations
· Open Heart – improve mood, become more empathic, loving, kind
· Quiet Mind – minimize internal self-talk

Most of us appear to be wired for negativity. We may be oriented toward problems in the environment for safety reasons. Therefore, we must intentionally pay attention to the positive. Research has shown that one of the best ways to focus on the experiences we appreciate is through writing in a gratitude journal. Recording our thoughts helps us focus them. Research has shown that if we practice gratitude by writing in a journal what we are grateful for and why before bed for two weeks, depression scores change dramatically. Grateful people are more hopeful and healthier. They have improved sleep quality, increased self-esteem, increased helpfulness and empathy and increased resilience.

We can easily access a wealth of information about mindfulness and gratitude. There are books, apps on our phones, articles on the internet and university classes. It may be worth our time to find a way to slow down, breath, and meditate in today’s busy world.


About the Author

Susan Wood is a licensed educational psychologist and has worked as a school psychologist in the public school system for over 17 years. Susan’s association with Harbor Day spans over two decades as a parent of three Harbor Day alums. She returned to Harbor Day as the school psychologist in 2013.
 
Also read the LA Times article on Mindfulness that was recently published.
Back

Harbor Day School

3443 Pacific View Drive
Corona del Mar, CA 92625 Phone<title><script type="mce-text/javascript"> (function(a,e,c,f,g,h,b,d){var k={ak:"984895077",cl:"EfBCCP-Fv3UQ5ZzR1QM"};a[c]=a[c]||function(){(a[c].q=a[c].q||[]).push(arguments)};a[g]||(a[g]=k.ak);b=e.createElement(h);b.async=1;b.src="//www.gstatic.com/wcm/loader.js";d=e.getElementsByTagName(h)[0];d.parentNode.insertBefore(b,d);a[f]=function(b,d,e){a[c](2,b,k,d,null,new Date,e)};a[f]()})(window,document,"_googWcmImpl","_googWcmGet","_googWcmAk","script"); </script><head><body>1-949-640-1410<html></html></body></head><br><br><br>
949-640-1410
Harbor Day School is a co-educational private independent K-8 school established in 1952.