Integrating Mindfulness Practices into Psychological Care
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2016
Originally Published In
The General Pyschologist
Volume Number
49
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
20-22
Abstract
Mindfulness is the practice of complete present-moment awareness (Lasater, 2000). Mindfulness practices include seated meditation; mindful exercise, such as yoga, tai chi and the martial arts; and mindfulness practices that have been adapted and/or developed for clinical use, such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Research demonstrates the wide-reaching benefits of mindfulness practices, including improved psychological health (through reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and increased satisfaction with life), improved physical health (reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, improved hormonal profiles), and improved functioning within the context of other health conditions such as chronic pain and during cancer treatment (for instance, see Bhushan & Sinha, 2001; Bonura & Pargman, 2009; Bonura & Tenenbaum, 2014; Eppley, Abrams, & Shear, 1989; Krishnamurthy & Telles, 2007; Nezt & Lidor, 2003; Woolery, Myers, Sternlieb, & Zeltzer, 2004).
