Are you having a "Mind Full Monday" or a "Mindful Monday"?

Hello!

I hope your Monday has been good so far. Remember, if experiencing Monday stress (or stress any day of the week), check out my last blog post on Body Scans ("Just Checking In"). Also, I have an "Oh Monday" post you may enjoy!

Anyhow, here is some follow up to my last post (Body Scans/"Just Checking In").  Here is some of the science around mindful meditation/relaxation:

 Body Scan Meditation

Why It Works

Body scan meditation is a great place to start for an understanding of the ancient and powerful practice of meditation. Meditation, as you surely know, has gone mainstream. It’s now a regular part of recovery programs in hospitals across the country.

According to brain imaging studies [S-4] [S-5] [S-6], meditation can lower high blood pressure and lessen chronic pain, anxiety and depression. It alters regions of the brain associated with memory, self-awareness and compassion.

In a study conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital, participants attended weekly 2.5-hour group meetings in which they practiced mindfulness meditation. At the end of the 8 weeks, the meditators felt more capable of acting with awareness, observing the world around them and remaining nonjudgmental.

So how exactly does meditation reduce anxiety? In a 2013 study, scientists at Wake Forest identified the brain functions involved in the process. While meditating, participants showed greater brain activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the area that controls worrying. And when activity increased in the anterior cingulate cortex (the part of the brain that controls thinking and emotions), anxiety levels also decreased. The best part, at least for beginner meditators? You don't have to sit for 30 minutes to reap the benefits: According to the lead author of the study, Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D, "just a few minutes of mindfulness meditation can help reduce normal everyday anxiety." [S-30]

-  Happify.com (Source)