Our depression can be treatable, with medication, healthy eating and exercise working for some of us. Now a new way of dealing with negative thoughts could give us more ways to cope with this mental health problem.
Cycle of depression
There are many different symptoms of depression, some are physical and affect the way we talk and how much we eat, for example. Others can bring our mood down leading to low self-esteem and negative thoughts, which in turn make us feel even worse. Researchers from Brown University recently explained how we could interrupt this cycle by doing mindfulness meditation.
Breathe in
Meditation is an ancient art and there are many different kinds. The type studied at the university involves us concentrating on the present moment we are in, while also making ourselves aware of our breathing. The activity is often used to clear our minds and give us a deeper feeling of relaxation. Scientists from the university managed to map the brain signals of people doing these breathing exercises and found that the meditation affected the part of the brain that processes stress. The activity had an impact on the alpha waves that bring attention to senses and emotions our bodies are experiencing.
How can it help?
The researchers explained that if we can get control over these brain waves then we can alter how we experience some sensations, from pain to negative thoughts. This indicates that we can ‘dial down’ distressful feelings and instead concentrate on more positive emotions and feelings. Most people who practice mindfulness meditation find somewhere quiet and comfortable to sit, so they can close their eyes and concentrate on their breathing as they breathe in and out. If we feel our mind wandering, we simply return our focus to relaxation. When we have trouble coping with depressive thoughts our doctors can provide us with the support we need.
Comments are closed.