Health & Fitness
Reduce Stress and Boost Your Brain Health Through Mindfulness Training
Mindfulness-based training can boost your well-being and mental clarity and reduce stress through changing your brain.
The neuroscientific study of mindfulness has exploded in recent years revealing the potent effects of mindfulness on the brain reducing stress and depression and improving cognitive abilities such as attention and problem solving.
One of the early pioneers of integrating mindfulness into Western medicine is Jon Kabot-Zinn, and he defines mindfulness in the following way: “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”
Techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show that during as little as four weeks, brain regions associated with attention, complex thinking, and effective control of emotions can be increased in size. Other studies show that mindfulness practice suppresses brain activity in regions responsible for ruminating about negative experiences or negative self-reflections.
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Health psychologists and neuroscientists alike now assert that just like one goes to the gym to strengthen their muscles, mindfulness-based practices can do the same for the brain by literally building brain regions that promote improved thinking abilities and help control/reduce stress and other negative emotions.
There is a new opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of mindfulness training in Pacifica as Dr. Michael Cole, a professor in neurology and psychology in the UC system (Berkeley and Davis) and licensed clinical neuropsychologist (PSY 22834), recently opened Pacific Neurohealth in Eureka Square.
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Dr. Cole teaches both mindfulness-based classes and brain health classes that are supported by the most recent research for boosting your cognitive and emotional health. A free introductory class for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction will be held April 2, 2015 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Then, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class will take place on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:00pm from April 9 – May 28, with an all-day retreat on May 16. Cost of the class is $380.
For more information, visit the Pacific Neurohealth website at www.pacificneurohealth.com or, call or email Pacific Neurohealth at 650-245-5503 and admin@pacificneurohealth.com.
