Paper Example on Mindfulness Meditation: Improve Stress, Well-Being & Symptoms

Thesis statement:

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Studies by Carmody and Baer (2008), and Pond Joseph (2017) indicate a strong correlation between mindfulness practice in reducing medical and psychological symptoms, stress, and increase in overall mindfulness and wellness.

In a research study conducted by James Carmody and Ruth A Baer in 2008, investigated the relationship between home practice mindfulness meditation practices and medical and psychological symptoms, stress levels, and well-being in a Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program (Carmody and Baer). According to the study report, “changes that are related to the practice of the mind indicate the possibility of a reduction in how the inflamed cutaneous neurons develop (Carmody and Baer 29).

The research report showed increase in levels of mindfulness from pre- to post-MBSR with the effects ranging from moderate to large scale (Carmody and Baer 30). It was also found out that the length of the home practice of the formal meditation exercises (sitting, body scan, and yoga) had a significant correlation with degree of change in most facets of mindfulness: several measures of symptoms and well-being, although informal mindfulness practice (doing routine activities mindfully) did have any significant correlation with the above exercise (Carmody and Baer). Similar claims have also been made by Pond (2017), that mindfulness best works as a preventive measure rather that a primary remedy for relaxation (Pond).

In his observations, Pond argues that meditation is most effective when practices as a way of being rather than a technique of wellness. He adds, “that most often mindfulness will often result into unpleasant thoughts and sensations (Pond para. 2). However, when one is in extreme physical pain, mindfulness has been found to be very effective, not as a remedy to relieve pain, but acts as good destruction preventing one from focusing on the pain. Similarly, (Carmody and Baer) study Results showed a sharp slope in the cortisol axis indicating that the mental health, as well as physical health and symptoms of the patients, improved significantly when they practiced mindfulness. It was also found that patients became more aware of their indicative awareness capabilities.

Presently, training of MBSR indicates a reduction in the sympathy response. Carmody and Baer (2018), argue that home practice is a combination of both mechanical and social factors through which improvements are obtained in MBSR. The researchers add that it is possible the reductions in these symptoms can be attributed to other potentially important factors such as social support and caring attention, mindfulness, and together with the physical and meditation exercises exercise to improve ability to relax. On the same note, Pond (2017), contradicts this statement arguing that by bring to attention one’s physical symptoms can result in worse outcomes. He however, emphasize, that mindfulness strengthens one’s relationship with their internal observation self. In other words, being aware of one’s physical pain, stressful symptoms, or anxiety resulted may result in worsening the symptom rather than improving it. Thus, Carmody and Baer (2018) study conclude that “increases in mindfulness indicated a complete mediation in the relationships between meditation practice over the course of the intervention and improvement in psychological symptoms and perceived stress.” These results suggest that improvements in mindfulness resulting from regular practice have a significant reduction in psychological distress and perceived stress (Carmody and Baer).

The key to not becoming overwhelmed by one’s emotions, as argued by Pond, is by strong is to remind yourself to accept the constant practice ongoing experience. For instance, if one is undergoing some level of stress, one should also accept that is not wrong to go through stress. Thus, instead of thinking of mindfulness as a relaxation approach, it would be better to perceive mindfulness as state of being aware of one’s situation (Pond).

Nevertheless, the studies posted by these two articles emphasize the conclusion that the difference between training on mindfulness and other means is bear. For instance, when the practice of both measures is determined concurrently, they establish a positive relationship with their internal observation self. In other words, being aware of one’s physical pain, stressful symptoms, or anxiety helps they appreciate their emotions. However, when examined separately, the method involving MBSR reveals a different set of behavior from the cortisol’s after training. Presently, training of MBSR indicates a reduction in the sympathy response. Carmody and Baer (2018), argue that home practice is a combination of both mechanical and social factors through which improvements are obtained in MBSR. Pond on the other hand, emphasizes that mindfulness is most effective when practices as a way of being rather than a technique of wellness.

Conclsuion

In conclusion, it is apparent that the results of any interventions made on the variables that exist are heavily reliant on practicing. Thus, it is empirical to conclude that indeed, there is a home practice of the formal meditation exercises (sitting, body scan, and yoga) had a significant correlation with degree of change in most facets of mindfulness: several measures of symptoms and well-being. However, as Pond emphasize, mindfulness should be practices as a way of being rather than a technique of wellness.

Works Cited

Carmody, James and Ruth A. Baer. "Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program." Journal of Behavioral Science 31 (2008): 23-33.

Pond, Joseph. "Mindfulness won't relax you but will make life pleasant ." Belfast Telegraph 06 June 2017: 24.