What is mindfulness-based stress reduction (mbsr)?

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

What is mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)?

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a program that helps you learn to calm your mind and body to help you cope with illness, pain, and stress. It teaches "mindfulness," which focuses on things happening in the present moment. Mindfulness helps you be in control of your mind so that your mind doesn't control you.

What does mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) teach you?

MBSR helps you focus your mind on the present. A class in MBSR usually teaches you to:

  • Focus your attention on your entire body, starting with your feet and ending at your head. As you do this "body scan," you might note places where you're tense or have pain.
  • Focus on thoughts and distractions that run through your mind, but don't judge them. For example, you might notice that a thought about work comes to your mind. Rather than worry about your thought, simply note the thought ("work") and feeling ("worry") without dwelling on them. Then turn your attention back to the present moment. Keep trying.
  • Practice yoga breathing exercises, stretches, and poses to strengthen and relax muscles.

How well does mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) work?

Studies show that MBSR can reduce stress and help people relax. Studies of people who have type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, chronic pain, and other problems show that MBSR helped some people cope better with symptoms and improved their quality of life.

Research also shows that MBSR helped people sleep better and feel less anxious. It also helped ease depression symptoms. In some people, MBSR also helped improve blood sugar and blood pressure.

For some people, MBSR may not work well. If you keep trying MBSR and find that it isn't working for you, that's okay. It may not be for everyone.

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