Mindfulness, a meditation originating from Buddhism that expanded to a secular practice in America, may have a particular benefit for Black Americans.
According to a research study by Cheryl L. Woods-Giscombé and Susan A. Gaylord at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), the most popular Western version of mindfulness, can be key in managing stress and stress-related health issues.
“African Americans experience a disproportionate rate of stress-related health conditions compared to European Americans,” the study says. “Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be effective for managing stress and various stress-related health conditions.”
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But, what exactly is mindfulness, specifically mindfulness-based stress reduction practices? Here’s a breakdown:
It’s a health program.
Designed in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn, MBSR is an eight-week program that teaches people how to use meditation to improve overall health. It’s used in over 250 hospitals across the U.S. and is known for helping those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and other stress-related illnesses, according to Elisha Goldstein in Psychology Today. The program has shown positive results and continues to grow as an accepted medical practice.
“Since 1979 there has been a tremendous amount of research coming out of Harvard, UCLA, Stanford, UW-Madison and many more high ranking institutions providing us the insight into how this approach is helpful and how it not only works, but how it actually can change our brains for the better,” Goldstein says in the article.
It has more than one benefit.
Mindfulness does manage stress, but it also does much more. Not only does stress management practice provide a general feeling of wellness, but it also helps reduce stress-related conditions such as hypertension, cancer and diabetes.
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Study participants also noted direct improvements in their health. The physical aspects of mindfulness, including focused breathing, good posture and walking, were reported as a benefit to their physical health.
Participants also said they were more aware of their feelings and thought more about their purpose. The silence involved in mindfulness practices, in particular, increased “insight, peacefulness, and quality of life.”
It doesn’t involve religion.
MBSR is secular by design — not taking on any specific religious or spiritual ideologies to work for anyone.
“MBSR was specifically designed to be a nonreligious meditation practice so that individuals from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds could experience the potential benefits,” the research says.
Many participants in the study felt that many aspects of MBSR — especially meditation, quietness and being still — reminded them of prayer, but that there was no conflict since it does not involve religious beliefs. So, you can add in your own religious beliefs if you desire, but it’s not necessary.
If you find yourself constantly stressed, try incorporating a simple mindfulness practice like meditation to your daily routine.
