Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an 8 structured of sessions of treatment, designed by Jon Kabat Zinn. As the name suggests, the program was used primarily to help people who are experiencing stress. However, it has also been found to be very effective against include anxiety, depression and chronic pain and therefore used the program in many hospitals in the United States and many other places around the world.
The modern society requires a lot from the individual. Career, family, friends, looks and private economy is a small sample of the things the modern society expect of us. In the pursuit of these things, it is easy to forget what really matters to yourself. Sometimes, everything can be mixed up in a way where it is hard to remain in control. Who can blame you? It rarely happens in the pursuit of the aforementioned things that you take the time to be in the moment.
For some people the pursuit can be unhealthy, and sometimes it puts people’s mental health at risk. The overview is getting unclear and one’s outlook on life may become cloudy. This, of course, is not a pleasant state of mind, and many people react with stress as well as other unhealthy reaction patterns. One is reacting blindly to one’s feelings, and the chance to develop an unhealthy thinking pattern is big. The internal dialogue can pull someone into impossible analysis, where the waste of energy is so great that it compromises the life quality of the person.
In such cases, among others, MBSR can be helpful. MBSR demands techniques and exercises that makes it possible to be present in the moment. MBSR requires an open mind where the participant tries not to judge his/her thoughts and feelings as good or bad. Being present means that the capability of observing thought and feeling as dynamic and not as a static and permanent part of oneself. The better the participant masters his/her own thoughts and feelings, the better he will be at choosing the right decisions. The participant will also experience greater insight into life, which will improve the chances of a greater life quality.
It is scientifically documented that MBSR reduces stress and physical pain and improves mental robustness and wellbeing. MBSR is one of the most effective tools in order to reduce and handle stress, anxiety, depression and worry, as well as being more at ease, and having more energy and happiness in worklife as well as life in general.
Therefore, many people can benefit from MBSR. MBSR does not require any experience with meditation in order for the participant to benefit. Beginners would have to learn the techniques of MBSR, but after a short time span, most people would notice a difference. MBSR can be a time-consuming project, but that is necessary in order to change existing habits and old ways of thinking. The time is well spent, however, because with dedication to MBSR it is possible to renew the participant’s overview and to improve his/her wellbeing.
I was lucky enough to join one of these MBSR courses in Copenhagen: http://mindfulnesskurser.dk/mbsr-kursusforloeb. My next step will be joining another MBSR course in near future: http://www.mbsr.co.uk/mbsrcourses1.php.
If you would like to know more about MBSR you can watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puzAe4G6uDw.
