The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices On The Human Body

Mindfulness practices offer an astounding array of benefits on the human body.
wellness · 4 min
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Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression have long before now, been thought of as simple, quick fix disorders. Benzodiazepines and antidepressants are among the top prescribed medications to treat mental illnesses. As per the research conducted by many studies, taking these medications, not only does one run the risk of addiction but the long-term damaging effects on the brain can be detrimental and are ultimately inevitable. Modern medicine has conditioned us to throw mental illnesses under the rug by simply taking pills and just dealing with the condition.

We in modern society, have failed to highlight and show emphasis on the root cause of these illnesses. We have often overlooked the underlying issue when it comes to the true causes of these common mental disorders. Mindfulness practices have unfortunately been swept under the rug while medication reigns on the forefront of major media and other mainstream outlets. 

By reading the information below, we can take a deeper look into the benefits that mindfulness practices have to offer.

By just simply relaxing and taking deep breaths while focusing on clearing our minds through mindfulness techniques, we can change so many biomechanical processes within the body instantly. Taking deep slow breaths can slow the heart rate which reduces our mental stress and has many more health benefits. Through this technique, we can begin to realize that we are more powerful than society teaches us.

Mood Disorders

Mindfulness practices have numerous benefits when it comes to reducing mood disorders. Listed below is a detailed breakdown of each:

1. Depression

Depression is now becoming one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. The rates of depression have spiked tremendously particularly this year, due to the pandemic. As per the research conducted by numerous scientists, depressive symptoms improved significantly in people who struggle with the disorder following Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Interventions.

2. Panic Disorder

Today, panic disorders affect almost half of the population in the United States. With this disorder being on the rise, it is important to note the benefits that mindfulness based therapy offers. As per the research of scientists, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy improves the symptoms of panic disorder as well as other related anxiety disorders.

3. Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is another mood disorder that is becoming more and more common in today's world. As per the research conducted by scientists, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy led to reductions in depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation symptoms in patients with Bipolar disorder.

4. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder affects many people from all walks of life, and occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. As per the research conducted by scientists, participation in a mindfulness stress reduction program led to a clinically significant reduction in OCD symptoms as well as an increased capacity to evoke a state of mindfulness.

5. Anxiety

Anxiety mostly consists of fearful, doubtful and negative thoughts. Many of us get anxious because we may be too closely attuned to our thoughts and feelings. This can really be a terrible thing, especially if our thoughts and feelings are filled with constant negativity. The constant feelings of self-doubt and fear can become extremely mentally taxing. Mindfulness practices help to quiet an anxious brain and provides a moment of peace.

If we are personally struggling with anxiety, then we can often feel like our minds are similar to a hamster wheel. We can feel that our mind is constantly spinning out of control but not making progress or making strides towards anything of meaning. It is like a constant cycle of never-ending worry and fear. As research from the Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy states, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction leads to decreased anxiety and can slow down excitatory brain activity.

Take a closer look at the way that Mindfulness based practices can benefit us below:

Mindfulness Meditation helps us to stop overthinking and helps our brains to stop constantly spinning. It provides us with mental clarity and helps us be more aware of our surroundings. It helps us to focus on our lives at the very moment and can take the attention away from overwhelming negative thoughts. 

Keeping the above mentioned benefits in mind, one can gain an understanding that meditation can help treat more mental disorders than the average person may be aware of. Meditating ultimately aids us in lowering anxiety by helping us control our thoughts while keeping them from controlling us which is the key to mental peace.

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Opinions and Perspectives

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Mia commented Mia 3 years ago

Looking forward to trying some of these techniques myself

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IsaiahWood commented IsaiahWood 3 years ago

The pandemic's impact on mental health makes this information more relevant than ever

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WellnessVision commented WellnessVision 3 years ago

Really appreciate the scientific backing provided for these practices

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DavidGreen commented DavidGreen 3 years ago

Great explanation of how mindfulness can complement traditional treatments

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Danielle-Rhodes commented Danielle-Rhodes 3 years ago

The article made me realize I need to take a more holistic approach to mental health

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SoulFlowVibes commented SoulFlowVibes 3 years ago

Wondering if anyone has experience with mindfulness in treating childhood anxiety

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GlitchHacker commented GlitchHacker 3 years ago

I found the section about bipolar disorder particularly informative

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SadieReed commented SadieReed 3 years ago

The description of anxiety as a hamster wheel is incredibly accurate

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TheCozyMinimalist commented TheCozyMinimalist 3 years ago

Never knew mindfulness could help with such a wide range of conditions

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BodyMind_Balance_69 commented BodyMind_Balance_69 3 years ago

The importance of consistency in mindfulness practice could have been emphasized more

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BellamyX commented BellamyX 3 years ago

I appreciate how the article acknowledges that different approaches work for different people

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Adrianna-Vargas commented Adrianna-Vargas 3 years ago

The section about panic disorders really helped me understand my own experiences better

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Autumn_Skies commented Autumn_Skies 3 years ago

Would be interesting to see more research on combining mindfulness with traditional therapy

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Marcus_Memo commented Marcus_Memo 3 years ago

The comparison between traditional treatment and mindfulness approaches is eye-opening

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Wellness_Wanderer_2024 commented Wellness_Wanderer_2024 3 years ago

Interesting point about society's tendency to overlook root causes of mental health issues

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Bella_Smiles commented Bella_Smiles 3 years ago

Love how the article emphasizes personal empowerment over dependency

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Porter_Perspective commented Porter_Perspective 3 years ago

The article could have explained more about how mindfulness affects brain chemistry

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Sustainable-Soul_77 commented Sustainable-Soul_77 3 years ago

I've found guided mindfulness sessions really helpful for maintaining focus

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Riley_Joyful commented Riley_Joyful 3 years ago

Anyone have success with mindfulness apps? Looking for recommendations

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PlantBasedJoy commented PlantBasedJoy 3 years ago

It's encouraging to see scientific backing for these ancient practices

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JoshuaCruz commented JoshuaCruz 4 years ago

The section about depression could have included more specific mindfulness exercises

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SawyerX commented SawyerX 4 years ago

Appreciate how the article addresses common misconceptions about mental health treatment

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RyanB commented RyanB 4 years ago

Finding the right balance between medication and mindfulness has been key for me

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Annie_Golden commented Annie_Golden 4 years ago

The emphasis on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes really resonated with me

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Helena_Hope commented Helena_Hope 4 years ago

I'm curious about the specific brain changes mentioned in the research studies

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TechNomadX commented TechNomadX 4 years ago

The article makes a compelling case for integrating mindfulness into regular healthcare

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Cohen_Comment commented Cohen_Comment 4 years ago

Yes my sleep improved dramatically after incorporating evening meditation

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Bianca_Stars commented Bianca_Stars 4 years ago

Anyone else notice improvements in their sleep after starting mindfulness practices?

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AryaLynn commented AryaLynn 4 years ago

The research citations make the benefits feel more credible than just anecdotal evidence

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TheOutsiderX commented TheOutsiderX 4 years ago

Wish they'd included more information about different types of meditation techniques

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PeaceAndPositivity commented PeaceAndPositivity 4 years ago

The pandemic section hits close to home. Mindfulness helped me cope during lockdown

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Tatum_Sunset commented Tatum_Sunset 4 years ago

Never realized how many different mental health conditions could benefit from mindfulness

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Victoria-Lynn commented Victoria-Lynn 4 years ago

The article really emphasizes personal empowerment which I find encouraging

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Koppel_Reports commented Koppel_Reports 4 years ago

I struggled with the concept of clearing my mind until I realized it's more about observing thoughts

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Lehrer_Ledger commented Lehrer_Ledger 4 years ago

The connection between deep breathing and heart rate regulation is fascinating

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Wallace_Watch commented Wallace_Watch 4 years ago

Would be great to see more studies about mindfulness effects on children with anxiety

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Andreeva_Analysis commented Andreeva_Analysis 4 years ago

Interesting point about how being too attuned to our thoughts can increase anxiety

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Maya_Dancer commented Maya_Dancer 4 years ago

The article makes meditation seem more accessible than I previously thought

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CyberVoyagerX commented CyberVoyagerX 4 years ago

My experience aligns with the research about reduced anxiety. It's been truly life-changing

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LexiS commented LexiS 4 years ago

I wonder if combining mindfulness with other alternative therapies could enhance the benefits

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LostAstronaut commented LostAstronaut 4 years ago

Learning to control thoughts rather than letting them control us is such a powerful concept

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JadeHarrison commented JadeHarrison 4 years ago

The article could have mentioned more about the historical origins of mindfulness practices

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HappinessBlueprint commented HappinessBlueprint 4 years ago

I find it fascinating how mindfulness can impact so many different mental health conditions

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GretaJ commented GretaJ 4 years ago

The section about OCD could have been more detailed. It's such a complex condition

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EchoVoid commented EchoVoid 4 years ago

Yes absolutely. I set reminders on my phone which helps me stay consistent

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Vibrant_Wellness_07 commented Vibrant_Wellness_07 4 years ago

Anyone else find it challenging to maintain a regular mindfulness practice?

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DarkVisionary commented DarkVisionary 4 years ago

The focus on breathing techniques seems too simple to be true but it really does help

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NeonSamurai commented NeonSamurai 4 years ago

I appreciate how the article breaks down different mental health conditions separately

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ZacharyAdams commented ZacharyAdams 4 years ago

When they mentioned the hamster wheel of anxiety I literally said yes out loud. So accurate

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Emerson-Reyes commented Emerson-Reyes 4 years ago

Getting started with mindfulness was tough but the benefits were worth the initial struggle

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Vegan_Glow_22 commented Vegan_Glow_22 4 years ago

Would love to see more research on the long-term effects of mindfulness compared to medication

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RileyStewart commented RileyStewart 4 years ago

The article makes a good point about society conditioning us to seek quick fixes

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VanessaMorris commented VanessaMorris 4 years ago

Nobody's suggesting replacing medication entirely. It's about finding a balanced approach that works for each individual

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Grayson_2010 commented Grayson_2010 4 years ago

I'm skeptical about completely replacing medication with mindfulness. Seems risky for severe cases

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FadingEcho commented FadingEcho 4 years ago

Group sessions worked wonders for me. Having others around kept me accountable and motivated

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AngelaT commented AngelaT 4 years ago

Has anyone tried group mindfulness sessions? I'm curious if they're more effective than practicing alone

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LiliaM commented LiliaM 4 years ago

The section about cognitive therapy combined with mindfulness was particularly useful for my situation

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SophiaDavis commented SophiaDavis 4 years ago

I like that the article acknowledges the pandemic's impact on mental health. We need more conversations about this

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Selena_Luxe commented Selena_Luxe 4 years ago

My doctor never mentioned mindfulness as an option. Makes me wonder why traditional medicine often overlooks these approaches

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SoulfulJourney commented SoulfulJourney 4 years ago

I found it interesting how they explained the connection between breathing and heart rate. Never thought about it that way before

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EcoChicWellness commented EcoChicWellness 4 years ago

The article could have mentioned the role of regular exercise alongside mindfulness practices

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Joanna_Flare commented Joanna_Flare 4 years ago

Does anyone know if there are specific mindfulness techniques that work better for depression versus anxiety?

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LeoLong commented LeoLong 4 years ago

Actually I disagree. Mindfulness combined with proper guidance can be transformative. It changed my life completely

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Schieffer_Summary commented Schieffer_Summary 4 years ago

Sometimes I feel like mindfulness is oversold as a cure-all. It helps but isn't always enough on its own

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Superfood-Power_88 commented Superfood-Power_88 4 years ago

The research on brain activity reduction during meditation is remarkable. Science backing up ancient practices

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ShadowMasterX commented ShadowMasterX 4 years ago

Anyone else notice how the article emphasizes the long-term risks of medication dependency? That's what pushed me to try mindfulness

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Violet_Wish commented Violet_Wish 4 years ago

I've been practicing mindfulness for years and still learn new benefits. The section about bipolar disorder was particularly enlightening

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Kessler_Keys commented Kessler_Keys 4 years ago

What I find fascinating is how something as simple as breathing can have such a profound effect on our brain chemistry

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CleanEatsOnly commented CleanEatsOnly 4 years ago

I appreciate that the article addresses both medication and alternative treatments rather than completely dismissing either approach

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EnergizedLiving commented EnergizedLiving 4 years ago

The part about OCD really resonated with me. I never knew mindfulness could help with intrusive thoughts

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Schneider_Spotlight commented Schneider_Spotlight 4 years ago

Try starting with just 5 minutes a day. That's what worked for me when I first began

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Sawyer_Scoop commented Sawyer_Scoop 4 years ago

My therapist suggested mindfulness but I find it hard to sit still and focus. Any suggestions?

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Flex-And-Flow_69 commented Flex-And-Flow_69 4 years ago

The statistics about depression rates during the pandemic are frightening. I'm glad there are alternative treatment options available

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The-Cozy_Minimalist commented The-Cozy_Minimalist 4 years ago

Interesting article but I wish they'd included more specific meditation techniques for beginners

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InnerLightShining commented InnerLightShining 4 years ago

The comparison to a hamster wheel is spot on. That's exactly how my anxiety feels sometimes

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PilatesPower commented PilatesPower 4 years ago

I started practicing mindfulness three months ago and noticed a huge difference in my panic attacks. They're less frequent and more manageable now

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CamilaBailey commented CamilaBailey 4 years ago

While mindfulness is great, let's not dismiss medications completely. They serve an important purpose for many people dealing with severe mental health issues

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Samantha-Rose commented Samantha-Rose 4 years ago

This article really opened my eyes about the power of mindfulness. I've been struggling with anxiety and always thought medication was the only answer

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