Studies have proven the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing mental illnesses such as depression, generalised anxiety and bulimia, but also in reducing stress, reinforcing the immune system, lowering blood pressure, reducing pain, and helping to improve psoriasis!
MRIs show that meditation modifies brain functioning in a positive way. Neuroscience tells us that we all have the potential to be happy if we use our prefrontal brain and mindfull meditation is one way of passing from automatic mode to prefrontal thinking mode. It physically modifies the brain both momentarily and in the long term thanks to neuronal plastisity. According to a study by Richard Davidson, people who practice mindfullness on a daily basis activate the left prefrontal cortex , which is associated with positive emotions, more than the right prefrontal cortex.
It is important to note that certain types of meditation can provoke mania, so it is best to consult your psychiatrist. It is always best to learn to meditate with a teacher, and if you have bipolar ideally you should go on a course aimed at people with bipolar disorder.
So how does one meditate in a mindful way? Get into a natural position- for westerners this is sitting in a chair or lying on your back - but whatever the position make sure your back is straight, as this is better both for your breathing and psychologically. You can choose to focus on one of three things: your body, your breathing, or your senses. Additionally you can choose to focus on observing your thoughts without getting carried away by them - like observing clouds going across the sky. You will need to practice, (five minutes a day is better than one hour a week) but with time you will reach a state where you are neither awake nor asleep. In fact you may find yourself actually falling asleep! Better sleep is just one of the many pros of mindfulness.
Later this month I am going to start an eight week mindfullness program, so I'll let you know how it goes!
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