Stress Anxiety & Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness is the art of sitting with awareness and without being stressed out. Mindfulness is a state in which your body, mind and spirit become one. It is about emptying the mind and becoming mindful again. Through eight weeks of mindfulness therapy at St. John’s Wort center, you will learn to:

Mindfulness is a state in which you are well-trained to observe your experience without judgment, criticism or reacting to it. Mindfulness- based stress reduction is a ten-week proven course that provides intensive, secular mindfulness training to help individuals with chronic anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and chronic pain, as well as those who seek healing. The program trains individuals to: (a) observe their experience rather than react to it; (b) become mindful of how the mind perceives the events and thoughts surrounding a particular experience; (c) learn to relax and allow the sensations to occur; and (d) cultivate a sense of well-being. St. John’s Wort is a natural substance found in red runes and willow woods growing throughout Europe and the Middle East. A study done by the National Institute of Mental Health found that the natural compounds in St. John’s wort, when combined with meditation, has proven effective in reducing stress levels and depression symptoms, while improving quality of life. The course provides:

Regular meditation practice calms the mind and can be a great asset in reducing stress, especially as we age. In order to benefit from the health benefits of meditation, however, we must pay attention to how we behave and respond to situations. Mindfulness helps us to take control of our responses to what happen around us, and to notice the emotions and feelings associated with those situations. This skill helps to reduce our stress levels, as well as fatigue, and assist in managing our emotions. Some common activities that help develop mindfulness include:

A common effect of mindfulness is being able to “know” what is happening in the moment. By paying attention to the sensations and emotions of the present moment, we become aware of the flow of events. We also gain insight into our emotions and our reactions to events by paying attention. By staying fully engaged in the moment, we open ourselves up to receiving information and can let go of negative thoughts, which keep the mind and body in a constant state of arousal and tension.

Another great way to benefit from the effects of mindfulness meditation is through a Body Scan. During a Body Scan, you sit comfortably and look at your body as if trying to see its deepest layers. While looking, you pay particular attention to areas of your body that may be unusual and may hold unpleasant memories. You might notice areas where stress and other related conditions have caused physical problems in the past. Next, you focus on feeling your feet or another body part, and observe how it feels. Finally, focus on breathing deeply and slowly and record the experience.

The benefits of meditation for reducing stress and anxiety are well documented and proven. In addition to its beneficial effects on the mind and body, regular mindfulness practice can help with everyday life. When you take the time to slow down and become fully present in each moment, you become more connected to your sense of self and become better able to appreciate who you are. This self-awareness and increased awareness can lead to greater understanding, self-confidence, and improved relationships. Meditation and mindful eating can help you live a happier and healthier life.