Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have proposed a new framework that better understands how mindfulness interacts with anxiety. According to postdoctoral research associate Resh Gupta, the practice of simply paying attention to the present moment without judgment can help calm the mind and improve concentration.
While many people experience the benefits of mindfulness firsthand, scientists are still exploring exactly how it works and which types of mindfulness suit different anxiety patterns. The team suggests that no single technique works for everyone, but rather, different approaches may be more effective for different anxiety profiles.
One key idea is that mindfulness can ease anxiety by improving cognitive control – the brain’s ability to stay on track and manage thoughts and actions in ways that support goals. Mindfulness appears to boost this mental skill, while anxiety tends to flood the brain’s working memory with worry and distractions.
Not all mindfulness techniques work the same way. Depending on what kind of anxiety someone is experiencing, one approach might be more effective than another. For example, focused attention may be beneficial for people who tend to ruminate, while open monitoring may be more suitable for those experiencing physical symptoms like a racing heart or tightness in the chest.
The Mindfulness Science & Practice cluster at Washington University offers programs that introduce participants to mindfulness exercises taught by trained practitioners. The team believes that making various mindfulness options available empowers individuals to find practices that suit them best and improves their quality of life.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/practicing-mindfulness-can-quiet-the-noise-of-anxiety