#mindfulness

#mindfulness

"Thoughts are the thinker," my Buddhist teacher said this Sunday at our bi-monthly gathering, and I thought, "Amen, sister!" I had the instinct to rejoice and affirm (Southern Baptist style from my youth) because this notion that I don't actually think my thoughts has helped me, more than any other idea, with what I call my "looping." My "looping" is more commonly referred to as intrusive thoughts: unwanted images, impulses, words, or phrases that crash the mental party uninvited.

How do you navigate difficult conversations? During these divisive and tumultuous times, it can be hard to communicate productively with others, especially with those whose perspectives differ significantly from our own. Whatever the topic, whatever our viewpoints or theirs, there's typically nothing easy about these discussions. And often the parties walk away feeling unheard, along with some mixture of feeling frustration, anger, sadness, resentment, grief, defensiveness, loss, overwhelm, or other uncomfortable emotions.

Though not scientific, this exercise was representative of the body's fight response: In a tightened, constricted pose, we tend to feel boxed into our discomfort, like a suitcase packed too tightly or a cup filled to the very brim. When we experience anxiety, our body's natural, automatic response is to shift immediately into a tightened, constricted state, much like an animal bearing down to protect itself from an attack by a predator.

Jane Goodall has passed away at the age of 91. She spent her life championing the comprehension and appreciation of the natural world. In so doing, she taught the rest of the world what it means to be human. One of the world's foremost primatologists and conversationists, Goodall was an embodiment of dharma, an Eastern concept that involves finding your purpose and allowing it to guide your life.

This perplexed my colleague but made eminent sense to me. In evolutionary terms, think of our ancestral hunter-gatherers. Males hunting that woolly mammoth had to have incredible, one-pointed mindful awareness, no distractions. Otherwise, they'd more likely be dinner than kill dinner. These males, excellent at combat, hunting, and present-moment awareness, were more likely to survive and procreate (à la Darwin), leading to more men proficient at mindful, present-moment awareness.

When your days are filled with nothing but the media's onslaught of messages, images, and must-see posts, it can feel good to take a breather. Maybe you've recently figured out a way to carve some "me-time" in this constant search for your attention from all of these online sources. You close your eyes, think about a recent pleasant encounter with a friend, and for one precious moment are transported away from reality.

The principle of non-harming, ahimsa, is the very first of the , or social and ethical restraints, outlined in Patañjali's Yoga Sutras. While we often think of ahimsa as how we treat others, its deepest invitation is to turn that same gentleness inward. When we give ourselves the same tenderness we would extend to a loved one or a dear friend, the nervous system softens, the mind quiets, and space opens for healing.

In psychology, this is called experiential avoidance. Trouble is, this experiential avoidance may seem helpful in the moment, but research shows that continuous avoidance of uncomfortable or upsetting thoughts can actually increase our anxiety and distress. Indeed, Dr. Russ Harris outlined in his book The Happiness Trap that experiential avoidance contributes to anxiety, depression, and numerous other mental health challenges; the harder one tries to avoid the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, the "more bad feelings we create."

Don't try to eliminate your stress. Instead, take advantage of it. Three experts, Aditi Nerurkar, MD, MPH, Kelly McGonigal, PhD, and Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD combine their insights on physiology, psychology, and mindfulness to show how stress management can become a superpower. They explain how stress can help you grow, how the body's "challenge response" fuels focus and energy, and how mindfulness can help you see beyond your thoughts.

Ever feel like you're doing all the yoga, but still getting stuck in stress, anxiety, or that annoying mental spiral at 2AM? You might be dealing with the Kleshas - the hidden blockers in your brain that yoga philosophy has been calling out for thousands of years (long before your therapist said, "Let's unpack that"). In this guide, we're breaking down the 5 Kleshas in a way that feels modern, relatable, and totally TikTok-worthy - with zero Sanskrit degree required.

Actress Drew Barrymore has opened up about her new-found love of home renovation and design, explaining that transforming a property has become like a form of "meditation" to her. Barrymore, 50, explained in a recent interview that the process of design helps her to feel present and mindful, while sharing insights into her personal style in a new Real Simple interview.

Over 300 million people have downloaded meditation apps, yet only 5 percent stick with them beyond the first month. This isn't simply a failure of willpower-many meditation apps offer guided sessions that quickly feel repetitive, provide little personalization, minimal real-time support, and rarely give feedback on your progress. With so many barriers, it's no wonder so many users instead scroll through TikTok or Instagram.

I felt an inner devastation that caused so much emotional distress I could no longer hide it or hide from it through my work. I did not feel like doing anything except cry and share my suffering with anyone willing to listen. After Karla left me for the third time, I went to a meditation retreat in Estes Park, Colorado, led by Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk who founded mindfulness and was nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr., for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Hearing the words "slow down," whether from a yoga teacher or a self-help influencer on Instagram, no matter how well-intentioned, can feel like banging my head against a wall. As if slowing down will solve all my problems! Moving as fast as possible-whether it's my hands on the keyboard at work or my body in and out of Downward-Facing Dog on my yoga mat-is how I try to outrun my stress demons. You know, lest I move in an unhurried fashion and have to actually feel things.

"Time is a thief." I learned this phrase in elementary school. It was regularly uttered by an administrator who, on the first day of school, would wistfully greet the student body, marveling at how much each child had grown over the summer. As a 10-year-old kid, I didn't put much stock into the musings of a middle-aged vice principal. Decades later, however, I better understand and appreciate the sentiment of her words.

Yoga is a way of life. For most student, practice begins on the mat, but once you find your flow, you begin to realize that yoga touches everything you do. From exploring accompany philosophy to focusing on breath and mindfulness, the effects of entering your yoga era are a perspective-shifting experience. Once there, though, you may find yourself immersed in yoga to the point where it's impossible to separate your practice from everything else. And that's kind of the point.

For parents of school-age children, this time of year is all about new beginnings: new teachers, new routines, and the hope that our kids are set up for success. Parents often feel a sigh of relief when summer ends and the house is quieter. But just because the kids are out the door doesn't mean the stress of parenting goes away.

Singita Grumeti is a private wildlife reserve in Tanzania with six different properties across its 350,000 acres. Whichever lodge you choose, their holistic philosophy of "wholeness" is woven into each aspect of your stay, from restorative treatments like a traditional massage to enriching community-based courses. Take nature walks, sit by the river, use the complimentary yoga mats and art sets in your room, or the meditation deck at their Sabora Tented Camp.

Your card for the week is the Four of Swords, which represents rest, peace, self-protection, and the feeling of rejuvenation. The message of this card is especially nice to see at the end of one season and the start of another. When the Four of Swords shows up in a tarot reading, you can take it as a sign to slow way down - if only for a second. If you've been going at full speed all summer long with getaways or a busy work schedule, it might mean you're a little more burnt out than you realize and in need of some R&R.

I've spent the past two decades investigating how mindfulness can transform the brain and promote healing from addiction, chronic pain, and emotional distress-the diseases of despair. Today, I'm proud to share findings that reveal how MORE can help foster recovery in the brain in powerful and measurable ways. In this study, published in the top journal Science Advances, we examined data from four experiments involving 135 adults who were taking opioids daily for chronic pain.

After I found out I was pregnant with our first, I had a different idea for what I wanted my babymoon to look like . I knew becoming a mother would require some lifestyle sacrifices, and that might include fewer solo trips, at least in the beginning. So, during my second trimester, I decided to take a solo babymoon to Grindelwald in the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland, which is known for its stunning natural beauty, scenic alpine hikes, and endless outdoor activities.

It is 2008, and I am sitting in my grandmother's room, at the Salt Lick Safari Lodge within the Taita Hills Wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. It is a gorgeous place to stay, the villas appear almost rocket-shaped, standing high off the ground to prevent any wildlife from getting inside the rooms. All around there is lush greenery. Outside her window, many animals, including elephants, deer, and giraffes pass by.

Emotions can build up, increasing in strength slowly, or they can crash down on us all at once, making it easy to get lost in them.

Venting doesn't lead long-term to effective outcomes. Rather than making you feel better, venting can often leave you feeling worse or just as bad as before.

The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud Bali is a purposeful destination where mind, body, and spirit come together in quiet harmony, honoring the island's spiritual roots.

We must learn to distinguish between things that are within our control and those that are not. The only thing entirely within our own control is our mind.

"To feel safe and certain about life, you judge every moment and then take action based on your past."

Every year on August 15, the country collectively takes a deep breath and exhales in celebration of National Relaxation Day. Originally started in 1985 by Sean Moeller, this day is a reminder to pause, decompress, and take care of yourself.