OPINION

The benefits of mindfulness

Kristy Kazzi
Staff Writer

Mindfulness can aid in stress management. Illustration by Jada Hauser

An increased ability to relax, a greater enthusiasm for life and improved self-esteem: these are just a few of the benefits of mindfulness according to News in Health, a monthly newsletter from the US National Institutes of Health.

Jacklyn Rey, a personal trainer, exercise physiologist at WCC Fitness, massage therapist and yoga teacher, advocates for a holistic approach to wellness–considering the body as a dynamic process rather than a fixed entity.

With her mantra, “I like to really think of it as working with the body as a process,” Rey emphasizes the transformative potential of mindfulness, which she initially discovered through yoga.

She believes mindfulness offers valuable tools for navigating stress and fostering healthier relationships, advising individuals to “learn your thoughts as an observer as opposed to just an experiencer.”

Barbara Concannon, having recently retired after three decades of event planning at the University of Michigan, found her own journey to mindfulness through her long-standing yoga practice.

Teaching yoga for many years, Concannon underscores its role in calming the nervous system and improving focus by paying close attention to the present moment.

Echoing Rey’s sentiments, Concannon highlights mindfulness as a pathway to self-acceptance and compassion, noting, “It’s really helpful in getting more accepting and loving of yourself and others.”

Both Rey and Concannon align with recent research findings, which underscore mindfulness’s benefits in reducing stress and enhancing self-control. A recent study conducted by researchers with the Boston Charter Research Collaborative highlighted the effectiveness of mindfulness in achieving these outcomes among sixth-graders.

Led by instructors from Calmer Choice, the eight-week program utilized techniques like focusing on a rock, resulting in decreased sensitivity to negative stimuli as evidenced by brain scans. “The findings suggest that the mindfulness instruction helped boost students’ attention skills, as well as develop coping mechanisms for stress.”