How Effective Is Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction In Managing Stress?

Stress is a prevalent issue in our modern society. And what was considered as a simple emotional episode has now emerged as a global health problem. Constantly feeling stressed can result in fruitless rumination, which leads to unproductive consumption of energy that further reinforces the mood from happening again.

In addition, exaggerated levels of stress can challenge positive emotions such as hope and may impede your capacity to forgive. Even worse, it can also cause physical diseases like obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, coronary heart disease… The list just goes on and on.

Good thing there are ways to effectively manage stress. And one such method that is reported to have promising effects is mindfulness based stress reduction.

Read more as we talk about MBSR and how you can benefit from this process to cope up with stress.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Explained

According to Wikipedia, MBSR is defined as an evidence-based program that involves mindfulness training to help individuals with anxiety, depression, pain, and stress for the next 8 weeks. Basically, it makes use of meditating exercises like Yoga as well as a combination of body awareness, thinking, feeling, exploration of behavioral patterns, and action.

MBSR was created in 1979 by Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn and is now adopted by 250 hospitals around the United States.

How Is It Used To Manage Stress?

The technique of mindfulness allows us to achieve an intentional and non-judgmental state on the current moment so we can eliminate any negative emotions that inhibit the body from performing its normal functions.

And here are some reasons why MBSR is very effective in managing stress:

1. It promotes sense of awareness – The MBSR method enables you to be in tune with the things that are happening at the moment, including physical sensations that you may not pay attention for most of the time. And as a result, it relaxes your mind and body which also releases any stressful emotions that you are feeling.
2. Improved mood – Frequent practice of MBSR can reduce negative emotions like stress. In fact, one study suggests that MBSR training is as effective as taking medications to prevent anxiety and depression.
3. Reduction of stress and the consequences of stress – MBSR helps your mind and body to respond less to stress. And as a result, you will experience less stress-related diseases and enhances your immune system at the same time.
4. Improved Brain Function – The goal of the 8-week session of MBSR is to hone your ability to focus. And because of this, your memory is sharpened and your mental performance is also enhanced.
5. More tolerant to pain – People who practice MBSR to cope up with chronic pain are found to feel less pain. Aside from that, they are also reported to be more active despite suffering from pain-related distress.

 

Final Thoughts

Overall, mindfulness based stress reduction is a holistic approach in coping up with pain. And it’s a program that you take advantage of to gain improve your well-being.

To learn more about MBSR and its applications, you can visit Dr. Jud Brewer’s website and check out his app, Unwinding Anxiety.