Mindfulness and its Role in Physical and Psychological Health.
This study examined the relationships of mindfulness, a form of focused self-awareness, with physical and psychological health. Mindfulness was measured in terms of four stable forms of awareness: Observe, an awareness of internal and external stimuli; Describe, an ability to verbally express thoughts clearly and easily; Act with Awareness, the tendency to focus on present tasks with undivided attention; and Accept without Judgment, the tendency to take a nonjudgmental attitude toward one's own thoughts and emotions. These aspects of mindfulness were explored in relation to both physical health, which consisted of heart rate variability, a measure of overall cardiovascular health, and psychological health, which consisted of flourishing, existential well-being, negative affect, and social well-being in a sample of 506 undergraduate students. Individuals high in mindfulness showed better cardiovascular health and psychological health.
Neumann University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. michaelprazak@hotmail.com
Michael
M
Prazak
Neumann University, USAUniversity of North Texas, USAUniversity of La Verne, USA.
Joseph
J
Critelli
Neumann University, USAUniversity of North Texas, USAUniversity of La Verne, USA.
Luci
L
Martin
Neumann University, USAUniversity of North Texas, USAUniversity of La Verne, USA.
Vanessa
V
Miranda
Neumann University, USAUniversity of North Texas, USAUniversity of La Verne, USA.
Michael
M
Purdum
Neumann University, USAUniversity of North Texas, USAUniversity of La Verne, USA.
Catherine
C
Powers
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
acceptance; awareness; health; mindfulness; personality