US EditionBenefits of mindfulness meditation go far beyond relaxation – here’s what it is and how to practice it
Researchers say acceptance during mindfulness meditation, not relaxation, drives benefits and can reduce loneliness while increasing positive emotions.
- Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University found that mindfulness benefits come from cultivating acceptance, not relaxation, as adopting an accepting attitude toward experiences drives positive emotional effects.
- According to East Asian Buddhist traditions, the "two arrows" metaphor explains suffering: the first arrow is unavoidable unpleasant experience, while the second is reactive tension and resistance to that experience.
- In a 20-minute mindfulness session, participants noticed six times more unpleasant experiences than pleasant ones, revealing why practice often feels difficult when confronting sensations people usually push away.
- Training acceptance during meditation reduces stress hormones and improves emotional well-being, with J. David Creswell, Chief of Science at Equa Health, Inc., and Yuval Hadash from Carnegie Mellon University emphasizing consistent practice builds resilience.
- Brief moments of responding with awareness can reshape how individuals relate to challenges over time, as practicing mindfulness involves treating thoughts and sensations as guests and acknowledging them without judgment.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Benefits of mindfulness meditation go far beyond relaxation: Here's what it is and how to practice it
Imagine being asked to sit alone in a quiet room for 15 minutes with nothing to do—no phone, no music, no external distraction. In a well-known 2014 study, many participants found that task so challenging that they chose to press a button to give themselves an unpleasant electric shock instead of continuing to sit with their thoughts and sensations.
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Benefits of mindfulness meditation go far beyond relaxation – here’s what it is and how to practice it
Mindfulness meditation is a process of noticing difficult thoughts and feelings rather than shutting them out. Marco VDM/E+ via Getty ImagesImagine being asked to sit alone in a quiet room for 15 minutes with nothing to do – no phone, no music, no external distraction. In a well-known 2014 study, many participants found that task so challenging that they chose to press a button to give themselves an unpleasant electric shock instead of continuin…
Benefits of mindfulness meditation go far beyond relaxation – here’s what it is and how to practice it
Yuval Hadash, Carnegie Mellon University and J. David Creswell, Carnegie Mellon University Imagine being asked to sit alone in a quiet room for 15 minutes with nothing to do – no phone, no music, no external distraction. In a well-known 2014 study, many participants found that task so challenging that they chose to press a button to give themselves an unpleasant electric shock instead of continuing to sit with their thoughts and sensations. Beca…
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