We are constantly told that adopting mindfulness practices will improve sleep, studying and general wellbeing. Often than not we are taught the practices that we must adopt, whether it be meditation, new routines or changes to our daily activities.
These all contribute to the overall aims of achieving mindfulness, but do we really know what and how these practices impact our bodies? This article will dive into the science behind mindfulness and why it is good to seek inner calm and peace within ourselves.
The Deep States
Based upon the research of neuroscientist Stan Rodski, the simple acts or practices of mindfulness enable access to the deeper states of our subconscious. It is through the body-mind-connection to which we can bounce back from events that could or can create a prolong negative impact in our daily lives.
By accessing these deep states as Rodski goes on to explain, people are able to monitor their own behaviour and control their thoughts better. It is through the way in which the brain operates and navigates stress that aims to protect but if not reduced back to a stable state can increase the strain on the mind.
Calm
Mindfulness and calm become one of the same. By obtaining a degree of mindfulness in our life, calmness follows through the way we react to events or to the time it takes to focus back to the present.
Psychiatrist Henry Emmons believes that calm can be obtained by building emotional resilience. Especially when stress is sustained over long periods of time, emotional resilience is helpful in managing our internal daily energy.
We are all born with different levels of resilience and through practice that instil mindfulness, the ability to cope better in situations opens up to us instilling calm.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is important to reach out to someone. Charles Sturt University has support available for if you need help increasing your sense of wellbeing and working through any struggles that you may face. If you want to read more about mindfulness practices and the science behind it. Look out for the following books:
~ Stan Rodski, The Neuroscience of Mindfulness.
~ Henry Emmons M.D., The Chemistry of Calm.
