Science Daily: How meditation can help you make fewer mistakes
“If you are forgetful or make mistakes when in a hurry, a new study from Michigan State University -- the largest of its kind to-date -- found that meditation could help you to become less error prone.”
“The research, published in Brain Sciences, tested how open monitoring meditation -- or, meditation that focuses awareness on feelings, thoughts or sensations as they unfold in one's mind and body -- altered brain activity in a way that suggests increased error recognition.”
“The findings suggest that different forms of meditation can have different neurocognitive effects. …Open monitoring meditation is a bit different. It has you tune inward and pay attention to everything going on in your mind and body. The goal is to sit quietly and pay close attention to where the mind travels without getting too caught up in the scenery."
“More than 200 participants were selected for this research study that tested how open monitoring meditation affected how people detect and respond to errors. The participants, who had never meditated before, were taken through a 20-minute open monitoring meditation exercise while the researchers measured brain activity through electroencephalography, or EEG. Then, they completed a computerized distraction test.”
The findings of this EEG test demonstrated that the meditators had a faster conscious error reaction in their brains than the control group.
My Thoughts:
I thought this article was really interesting, especially for its scientific approach to mindfulness and meditation. From some people I have talked to in life, they sometimes get the feeling that mindfulness and meditation are but mere buzzwords used to generate conversation or drive revenue streams. But, my own personal experience tells me otherwise, and it was really nice to see this documented study come out that, through research, proved what I felt like I already knew
Read the full article here.
#Meditation #Mindfulness #MentalHealth
And as a question for you all:
In what ways has any type of mindfulness or meditation helped you in your lives? Also, what do you feel the overall potential is (however you want to define it) for meditation in all of our lives?
@sereneSunset26 I think meditation can really help us achieve the ability to slow down and relax a little more. Our lives are so busy that I don't think we take the time necessary to relax and realize that everything will be alright. I don't really meditate too much because my mind is always going so fast, but I give kudos to those who are masters at it!
@fruityPond7887
I think meditation can really help us achieve the ability to slow down and relax a little more. Our lives are so busy that I don't think we take the time necessary to relax and realize that everything will be alright. I don't really meditate too much because my mind is always going so fast, but I give kudos to those who are masters at it!
So, ironically, this is pretty much the #1 reason for anyone to start meditating 😅. Meditation is honestly all about slowing the mind and becoming present with yourself. 😉
@sereneSunset26 Hahaha you are correct 😂 I just don't think I have the desire in me right now to do meditation, so I'm not sure how well it would work 😝
@fruityPond7887
If you can breathe, you can meditate haha!
Or I suppose, more accurately, if you can control (slow) your breath you can meditate. :)
@sereneSunset26 Sometimes I forget to breathe all together 😂 I'm just messing! I used to do a whole body relaxation thing on an app and I enjoyed it, so maybe I'll have to get into it again! Thanks!
@fruityPond7887
If you're looking in the mirror and notice that you're skin is blue, then you know it's time to breathe. 😉
But yeah, I can't speak enough to mindfulness and meditation.
@sereneSunset26 You'll be very proud of me because I did a lot of good breathing this weekend during a panic attack 😂😂 It actually was good and helped to calm me down!
@fruityPond7887
That is seriously awesome!! While I've never had to deal with a severe panic attack, I have had other moments in my life, where in the moment, I have had to also breathe to calm myself down. It is beyond comforting to me to know that we have the ability to self-correct our brains when necessary. :)
@sereneSunset26 You're right! While sometimes it's really hard, it can be so helpful in the right circumstances ❤️
@fruityPond7887
Most definitely it can. :)