The benefits of beginning a mindfulness meditation practice are different for every person who does so. For example, some people experience reduced anxiety and others experience increased motivation when they meditate. While some people feel more energized, others sleep better.
However, you feel about meditation, a study that was published in the journal Economics Letters did indicate that there is a general advantage that can be predicted from meditating, and it is well worth 15 minutes a day (1).
Examining How Mindfulness Affects the Avoidance of Information
In a field study earlier this year, 261 individuals were divided into two groups to examine the potential effects of mindfulness on “information avoidance.”
The act of purposefully avoiding knowledge that could be important or helpful to you because it might be upsetting, uncomfortable, or stressful is known as information avoidance.
For two weeks during the trial, the control group spent 15 minutes each day listening to calming music. For the same amount of time, the treatment group listened to guided mindfulness practices. The Information Preference Scale (IPS) was employed by the researchers to gauge the individuals’ degree of information avoidance (2). The 13-item IPS assesses a person’s readiness to hear information in 13 hypothetical circumstances that could lead to regret or anxiety.
Ultimately, the study’s researchers discovered that practicing mindfulness decreased participants’ information avoidance.
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Emotional Regulation is Enhanced by Mindfulness
Not only did mindfulness meditation lessen information avoidance. Emotional management was mentioned by researchers as an additional advantage of the activity. Although it’s not exactly a novel discovery in the field of meditation, this is nevertheless a significant piece of the picture as it relates to recent studies.
When we maintain our cool during a difficult meeting at work or when we stay composed in traffic, we are demonstrating emotional control.
Instead of repressing feelings, emotional regulation can also be demonstrated by expressing joy or grief throughout a wedding.
The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation
Despite the results, it’s critical to comprehend the reasons behind the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation.
You are in a state of active, open focus on the present when you practice mindfulness. This enables you to step back and watch your thoughts and feelings without labeling them as good or bad or responding to them rashly.
Even though it might not happen to everyone right away, regular practice will help you build stronger mindfulness muscles. The study demonstrates that advantages might be felt quickly.
You consequently get the ability to control and process your emotions without letting them control you.
If meditation isn’t your thing, try mindfulness in other contexts, such as taking a mindful stroll and paying attention to the experience, eating mindfully anytime you sit down to a meal, practicing mindfulness in yoga, etc. Even while the outcome might not be the same, it’s still a valuable practice.
To Wrap Things Up
Practicing guided mindfulness meditation for two weeks can lessen information avoidance and enhance emotional control. Want to stay consistent on your path? Here are 10 Tips for a Lasting Daily Meditation Routine.
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