The Science behind Mindfulness
Share this article

Takeaway Mindfulness changes the Blueprint of your brain.

Not long ago I could never have imagined doing something so ‘soft’ and ‘fluffy’ as meditation. It sounded buddha-like, vague and non-scientific to me.

I was leading a fast-paced city life, building my career within finance, marketing and sales teams at large corporates such as Diageo, L’Oreal and Beiersdorf. Softness, fluff and sitting still was nothing for me.

In the previous blog post I shared with you how that corporate go-getter that was me (and I am still) turned to mindfulness. In this post I would like to share with you HOW Mindfulness has transformed my brain and as a result my life (and I’m not the only one!).

The Impact Of Mindfulness On Your Brain

Let’s talk neuroscience!
Mindfulness changes the blueprint of your brain.

Over the last decade neuroscientists and microbiologists have researched the brain extensively and discovered that we can change the blueprint of our brain through a concept called neuroplasticity.  Neuroplasticity is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganisation. Mindfulness offers concrete tools and techniques to train the brain to make this happen.

When you compare the MRI scans of the brains of meditators with non-meditators the following can be found:

Mindfulness:

  1. 🧠 Changes the frequency of the brainwaves. Mindfulness allows the brainwaves to go from Beta (12-35hz) to Alpha (8-12hz) and Tetha (4-8hz) waves. Alpha and Tetha frequencies promote relaxation and positivity and reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety.
  2. 🧠 Shrinks your Amygdala. Mindfulness practice reduces the size of the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for stress and anxiety.
  3. 🧠 Grows your Cortical Thickness. Mindfulness allows for the cortical thickness, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory, to grow.
  4. 🧠 Increase the size of the Grey Matter. Mindfulness is a great anti-ageing tool. Yes! You are reading that correctly. Mindfulness is anti-ageing. Next to Q10 and Hyaluronic acid in your day and night cream, you can use Mindfulness as a form of inner anti-ageing. Research shows that meditation has a ‘neuroprotective’ effect: which means it protects the brain from ageing. Normally, the volume of our grey matter reduces as we get older. MRI scans show that mindfulness practice increases the size of the grey matter, which is the part in the brain responsible for planning and problem solving.

The Impact Of Mindfulness On Your Life:

We are all Mind Made.
The Mind determines the way we think, feel and act.

Mindfulness allows us to rewire the brain resulting in:

  • Reduced stress & anxiety
  • Increased emotional stability
  • A calmer mind
  • Sounder sleep
  • More clarity
  • Enhanced mental performance
  • Increased positivity
  • More energy
  • More confidence

Conclusion: Mindfulness is not soft, fluffy, non-scientific, or vague. It is the real deal. Mindfulness offers concrete tools and techniques that can help you change the blueprint of your brain and as a result make you FEEL better.

Just Like Me?

Are you like me? Still reluctant? Hesitant? Not sure? In the peach box 🍑 below some links to interesting articles.

Would like to know more? Feel free to drop me a line directly in my mailbox: marie-claire@zentre.nl

With Love and Calm,

Marie-Claire

Share this article

Just like me?

Are you like me? Still reluctant? Hesitant? Not sure? Below are some links to interesting articles on this subject.


Article 1: Unleashing the Power of Mindfulness in Corporations – BCG

Article 2 and 3: The effect of Mindfulness on stress, anxiety and depression – Harvard

Article 4: Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress –  APA

Before going on with the rest of the day I would like to ask you:

What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing, that Mindfulness could help you with? 

Reply to this blogpost by just dropping a line, get it off your chest, no need to write more. Also, feel free to ask any question you may have. 

I would love to hear from you, connect and know more about who is on the other side.
I always take the time and answer you in person. 🤍

Assigment
Tags