The effects of mindfulness meditation on anxietyAbout 15 years ago, I came across an interesting text by French psychiatrist Christophe André, which provided an introduction to mindfulness meditation. It was a revelation and I started to get interested in this practice. As I read, I discovered a new and very stimulating universe from several points of view.
I said to myself, with the anxiety that I experience, it is exactly for me. I started to practice on a regular basis and after a while, I would say about 3 months, I felt that I was distancing myself more and more from my anxiety.
I realized that this approach would surely be fantastic in my day-to-day work. So, I deepened my knowledge and my practice, and I started to offer mindfulness meditation as part of my mobilization programs.
In the beginning (fifteen years ago) I can't say that I was getting a great deal of openness from the depressed and anxious people who made up my clientele. Despite the efforts of Jon Kabat-Zinn and his MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program, people in general considered meditation to be a bit too esoteric, and few knew of its benefits at the time.
Mores changed rapidly. Today, most people I meet have heard of meditation.
But do they take action by starting to practice meditation?
I have noticed in my personal and professional circles that many people talk about meditation, but few actually practice it.
I noticed, especially in my professional approach, that it was not enough to recommend meditation and praise its merits for people to take action. I have had success with this recommendation when accompanying people.
There are now countless tutorials and apps to help with meditation. Many of these technological tools allow real support for beginners, and several coaches offer virtual meditation support capsules.
What does it do?
There is plenty of scientific documentation on the benefits of meditation. According to studies, meditation has a protective effect on the heart, promotes sleep, strengthens the immune system, calms anxiety, and lowers the risk of depression.
I overcame my anxiety
In my case, I realized that regularly practicing mindfulness meditation by focusing on the movement of the breath allowed me to feel the present moment. The intrusive thoughts of anxiety became less real to me after a while. They no longer reflected reality, and I learned to distance myself from them and regard them as pure fabrication.
Unpleasant thoughts and feelings related to anxiety are quite rare now. Something has happened to my brain. On this, simply google “brain and anxiety”. The number of studies and articles on the subject is incredible!
I now have much better concentration, better resistance to stress, little anxiety and better regulation of my emotions.
For me, and for many people I have accompanied, it has really made a difference. What a joy to get out of this daily fear linked to anxiety. I also wish you to experience this happiness.
Amélie, your coach
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