Mindfulness is a technique that teaches an individual to become aware of moment-by-moment thoughts, emotions and physical sensations in a non-judgemental way.
Mindfulness has been shown to be effective in supporting diabetes management.
It is a coping technique that can be adopted to come to terms with adversity and enhance mental and physical wellbeing.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a technique adopted to becoming aware of moment-by-moment thoughts, emotions and physical sensations in a non-judgemental way.
The foundations of mindfulness lie in the ancient practice of meditation; mindfulness can be adopted and practiced by anyone irrespective of cultural or religious orientation.
In the US, mindfulness is being increasingly used for eating habits and diabetes management. Research has shown that mindfulness enhances clinical effect of glycemic control.
Mindfulness guides
Mindfulness has been shown to have an impact on a number of issues in regards to diabetes. Read the latest research in guides to:
- Mindfulness and hypoglycemia
- Mindfulness, blood gluose levels and blood pressure
- Mindfulness and sleep
- Mindfulness and back pain
How does mindfulness work?
Mindfulness can help break down the constant cycle of becoming stressed, anxious and depressed. Pressures and strains of everyday life cause an internal battle of avoidance and attraction.
People strive to avoid ‘negative emotions’ such as guilt, sadness, frustration and anger and instead are attracted to feelings of happiness and contentment.
In essence, people have been taught to believe that feeling these ‘negative’ emotions is unfavourable and that we are in some way mentally ill due to the experience of those feelings.
Mindfulness encourages attention and focus on the present moment and the development of non-judgemental consciousness, this allows the person to accept the way they are feeling rather than constantly battling to try and change it.
How can mindfulness help me?
Mindfulness based approaches has been scientifically proven to ease depression, anxiety, stress and aid the management of destructive emotions.
Additionally there are no side effects like those seen in alternative medications prescribed to improve symptoms of mental illnesses
Mindfulness based approaches has been found to be particularly effective in supporting diabetes management and the mental turmoil that is accompanied with a diagnosis of such as chronic physical illness. It can address the feelings of guilt, anger and aid self-acceptance to encourage the fulfilment of an unobstructed life. [36]
Mindfulness has also been found to have an enhanced clinical effect of glycemic control so not only aids psychological health but could potentially have a positive impact on the management of the physical condition. [37]
