Meditation and the Brain
I always thought that meditation or mindfulness sounded like something that hippies or people who were a lot more spiritual than I am do, but something sparked my interest in beginning a mindfulness practice. That something was learning about the effects of mindfulness on the brain. Your brain is altered by experiences of trauma. That can sound very scary - that your experience of trauma can alter the way you perceive the world. It does not have to be forever though, because of a process called neuroplasticity. So let me slow down for a moment and define somethings for you!
Mindfulness awareness, as defined by Dr. Dan Siegel, is "intentionally paying attention to the present moment without being swept up by judgments" (p.98)/
Neuroplasticity, also as defined by Dr. Dan Siegel, is the production of proteins that enable new connections to be made among neurons (p. 23). In more accessible terms, the idea of neuroplasticity is the way that our experiences alter the way we behave and react in the world. This process happens mostly when we are children, but can happen at any point!
Bringing these together, practicing mindful awareness can increase your neuroplasticity, or increase your ability to be flexible in how you respond to events, emotions, and other people. Dr. Dan Siegel states that "besides focused attention, other factors that enhance neuroplasticity include aerobic exercise, novelty, and emotional arousal" (p.99).
Things that you can do to practice mindfulness awareness can include a strict sitting meditation practice or focusing your attention on one task you're completing.
And if you are interested in finding some support to start a more traditional meditation practice, I suggest apps like Insight Timer, Calm, or Headspace, to let yourself use guided meditation, so you do not have to be trying it alone.
As always, take what you need and feel free to leave what is not useful. I hope you have the week you want.
Siegel, D. J. (2010). Mindsight : the new science of personal transformation. Bantam Books.
