Mindfulness and Meditation: Benefits and Risks

Our previous blog post worked on busting some common myths around meditation and mindfulness - but what actually are they, and what are the benefits and risks of practicing them, if any?

What is meditation and mindfulness, and are they different?

Meditation is difficult to define due to its variety of practices in different cultures. Generally speaking, meditation uses techniques that work on focus, attention, and/or awareness for physical and mental benefits, such as a sense of happiness or peace. Some types of meditation do involve spirituality or religion. Mindfulness does overlap with meditation in terms of techniques (such as focusing on breathing) and goals (such as improving mental health), but in general does not involve spirituality or religion. In therapy, mindfulness is more commonly suggested and practiced along with the guidance of a professional, and many do attest to how it has improved their lives. In mental healthcare, we often suggest and guide our clients through simple mindfulness exercises that can help build awareness of, regulate, and accept thoughts and emotions in sustainable ways.

Are there any proven benefits to practicing them?

Despite their long history in human culture, the academic world has only really begun intensively researching meditation and mindfulness in the past few decades. So far, evidence is the strongest when it comes to improving anxiety and depression, helping emotional regulation, and managing negative thought patterns. They might improve one's focus and information processing, and there is some evidence for decreasing blood pressure, managing pain and reducing cravings. Anecdotally, many have personally benefitting from meditation or mindfulness exercises. If you do wish to give it a try, we recommend seeking legitimate sources for guidance and seek advice and support from a physical/mental healthcare professional if need be. 

What about any possible negative effects?

There are other positive benefits being studied but more research is needed for clarity and confirmation of these positive effects. There have also been a small handful of studies reporting some negative experiences, like the reliving of trauma or experiencing negative emotions. For example, if we are unprepared for exercises that may involve self-reflection, we may not know how to manage any strong emotions that come up from them. Approaching a new activity with inaccurate or unsustainable expectations can also be demotivating, especially if we are looking to problem solve. It is undeniable that we should have a basic understanding of what to expect before diving into meditation and mindfulness, try to be led by a trusted and expert provider, while having the support of our healthcare professionals.

Have you found meditation and mindfulness to be beneficial or detrimental for your wellbeing? If you are keen to learn more about how to use different types of mindfulness or meditation exercises in your daily practise, we are here to help. Find out more by contacting us at info@restingtree.ca or book your free consultation today.