Over twenty percent of the U.S. population will experience a mood disorder in their lifetime.* These days, many people who do experience mood disorders opt to Google their term of choice in an effort to find help.
In fact, that is one of the ways that Jennifer came to learn about mindfulness. In our latest interview, Jennifer describes how she lived with anxiety and depression for over 10 years, how she found mindfulness and how the practice of mindfulness helped to alleviate her depression and anxiety. Listen to our conversation with Jennifer.
We have heard from hundreds – possibly thousands – of people who have participated in our 8-week Mindfulness-based Stress Management program over the past 25 years and many have relayed how, like Jennifer, learning and practicing mindfulness has improved their mood. We actually collect participant-reported data at the start and end of each session that supports these anecdotal claims. Year after year, our pre- and post-program data shows that in many cases, mindfulness helps to reduce anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue.**
But what does the evidence-based research show? There is an impressive and growing body of research that supports the claims and the testimonials of our participants. Much of this research shows that mindfulness practice improves mood and quality of life, increases working memory and resistance to distraction, and enhances emotional regulation. More than ever before in our culture, people are turning to mindfulness and meditation for help with managing a wide variety of psychological illnesses and symptoms of stress in daily life. Here is an article that summarizes some of that research.
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*National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov
**data collected via the Profile of Moods States questionnaire