Whether it is through pop-culture, the latest health guidance, or perhaps, in conversation with a close friend over coffee, more than likely, you have heard of this word “mindfulness”. The idea of mindfulness has been shared with therapists for over a decade, so let me share with you the more recent science of mindfulness that researchers have now confidently put together that supports the practice and the benefits.
For years, I have been telling clients that the safe and open relational space of the therapy room is one of the most deeply impacting components to health and well-being. The purpose of that supportive relationship, though, is to build the trust that enhances the likelihood of practicing new skills that will promote positive change. It is common for me to suggest approaching new skills like we would repeat exercise movements in order to “build new muscles” in application to “the brain muscle” and the benefits of repetition in order to strengthen our minds for heavier lifting.
Today, scientists can now point directly to the evidence that supports you ARE ACTUALLY BUILDING YOUR BRAIN MUSCLE?!?!? Whaaaaaat??? Lean in and hear me on this, Functional MRI’s can show that your brain will actually increase in volume by practicing mindfulness promoting activities such as:
Yoga
Meditation
Practicing “presence”
Noticing our thoughts
Consciously engaging in everyday activities
Self-monitoring
Taking a breath
Grounding
Self-compassion
Body-scanning
How can they tell it’s working? The white matter in your brain actually increases in a measurable way. White matter is responsible for helping your brain communicate better with itself, by smoothing out the pathways. Think “cogs in a machine” and adding oil to lubricate the cogs … the machine runs smoother and more efficiently. Increasing white matter is the “oil” that helps your brain work more smoothly and efficiently, which helps you to access the thoughts and feelings you want to access more quickly and with less difficulty.
And the impact of mindfulness doesn’t stop there! Through continued practice and the increase of white matter, different areas of the brain begin to communicate with each other more efficiently. EKGs even show that brain waves that once behaved independently/differently, begin to mirror each other and work together to tackle heavy lifting problems like changing habits, learning a new skill, managing emotions, and accessing helpful information in a crisis. Thankfully white matter also helps our body do some of the automatic things like “taking a breath” when we are stressed and regulating the heartbeat when something goes wrong.
Here is a great article from Positive Psychology that explains mindfulness therapy in counseling sessions.
What is Mindfulness Therapy and How to Apply It? (positivepsychology.com)
If you would like to find a therapist that incorporates mindfulness therapy into their sessions, contact us! Several of our counselors utilize it since it is such a valuable tool. Call or text (816)974-7378 or email admin@twccllc.com.
Check back in February or watch our pages on Facebook and Instagram for our next article on Art Therapy! Be well!
