Lately ;

we’ve been thinking about thinking.

More specifically, we've been thinking about what happens when you consciously reshape your thinking patterns. Yes, it's all very meta, but "mindfulness" is a buzzword that gets tossed around frequently, and we wanted to delve into it with you – to ponder it deeply and deliberately.

You know those moments when your mind's all over the place, and you just can't focus? Or maybe you're feeling stressed out and you wish you could just chill out? That's where mindfulness comes in.

At its core, mindfulness is about being fully present and engaged in the moment. It's not about blocking out your thoughts (trust us, that's impossible!), but rather learning how to observe them without judgment. It's about finding that sweet spot of focus and acceptance that can make a huge difference in how you feel and perform.

While mindfulness has deep roots in Buddhist philosophy, modern science is increasingly recognising its benefits. Researchers across various disciplines have been investigating the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on the brain and body – with evidence suggesting that MBIs can enhance cognitive functioning, alleviate physical symptoms, and buffer against certain negative health outcomes. What more could you ask from a non-invasive, inexpensive, non-pharmaceutical option!

So, enjoy this round-up of the best mindfulness science and then - relax.

💙 The MM Team.

So tell us ;

is mindfulness something you already practice, or something you could see yourself adding in to your daily routine?

We love the thought that a simple, cost-effective (if not free!) and non-pharmaceutical option could potentially provide so many benefits to our brains and bodies.

Watching our community of evidence-based, brain-health conscious people grow really is so exciting. If you’re enjoying our content, don’t forget to forward it to a friend, or send them our sign up link (https://melonmag.beehiiv.com/) to help spread the word.

As always, we would love to hear from you about any topics of interest or questions you’d like us to cover - just reply to this email and we’ll be on the case

The MM Team x

REFERENCES

• Katz, R. (2023a, July 13). Seeking Serenity: Part 2 | Hidden Brain Media. Hidden Brain Media. https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/seeking-serenity-part-2/ 

• Katz, R. (2023b, September 12). Seeking Serenity: Part 1 | Hidden Brain Media. Hidden Brain Media. https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/seeking-serenity-part-1/ 

• Paschali, M., Lazaridou, A., Sadora, J., Papianou, L., Garland, E. L., Zgierska, A., & Edwards, R. R. (2023). Mindfulness-based interventions for chronic low back pain. The Clinical Journal of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1097/ajp.0000000000001173 

• Sevinc, G., Rusche, J., Wong, B., Datta, T., Kaufman, R., Gutz, S. E., Schneider, M., Todorova, N., Gaser, C., Thomalla, G., Rentz, D. M., Dickerson, B., & Lazar, S. W. (2021). Mindfulness training improves cognition and strengthens intrinsic connectivity between the hippocampus and posteromedial cortex in healthy older adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.702796 

• Van Cuylenburg, H. (2019). Resilience Project, the. Random House Australia.

• Zainal, N. H., & Newman, M. G. (2023). Mindfulness enhances cognitive functioning: a meta-analysis of 111 randomized controlled trials. Health Psychology Review, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2023.2248222 

• Zimmaro, L. A., Carson, J. W., Olsen, M. K., Sanders, L., Keefe, F. J., & Porter, L. S. (2019). Greater mindfulness associated with lower pain, fatigue, and psychological distress in women with metastatic breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 29(2), 263–270. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5223