Mindful Individuals Are Less Affected by Others
Mindfulness in the Mountains by Mtnspirt
Whenever people hear the word “feelings,” most of us cringe and it is because of the negative stereotype that is commonly associated with the word. You know that overly sensitive, emotional, dramatic person, well replace that thought with one of a person who is calm and in control, now we are still dealing with the same thing but a completely different image appears right? A new study out shows that people who are aware of their own thoughts and emotions are less affected by their surroundings and feedback from others.
The study, finds that individuals high in the trait of mindfulness –which is the awareness of the present moment– show less neural response to positive feedback than their less mindful peers. “These findings suggest that mindful individuals may be less affected by immediate responses and fits well with the idea that mindful individuals are typically less impulsive” says author Rimma Teper.
Trait mindfulness is characterized by an ability to recognize and accept one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment. Mindful individuals are much better at letting their feelings and thoughts go rather than getting carried away (such as not going after the person that just cut you off, or getting irritated at the person with 30 items in the under 10 items checkout line).
Using electroencephalography (EEG) the brain activity of participants was recorded while they completed a reaction time task on a computer. The authors were interested in the brain activity in response to receiving performance feedback that was rewarding, neutral or negative in nature. Not only were mindful individuals less responsive to rewarding feedback compared to others, they also showed less difference in their neural response to neutral versus rewarding feedback.
“Individuals who are problem gamblers for instance show more brain reactivity to immediate rewards, because they are typically more impulsive,” says Teper.
Many studies, have shown that people who meditate (yoga, spiritual awareness, pray, knitting, fishing, etc.) and mindful individuals exhibit improved self-control. If mindful individuals are also less affected by immediate rewards, as the study suggests, this may help explain why. So it seems like the evidence to be more mindful is starting to stack up, we already know that it reduces stress, and improves grades, but it may also help you focus on long term goals.
If you have no idea how to become more mindful check out – How to Bring More Mindfulness, if you are confused about meditation – stop what you are doing, breathe, and pay attention to what you are thinking about- thats it.
now if you will please excuse me I believe someone is trying to skip me in the coffee line
The above article is based on materials provided by the University of Toronto.
- Rimma Teper, Michael Inzlicht. Mindful Acceptance Dampens Neuroaffective Reactions to External and Rewarding Performance Feedback.. Emotion, 2013; DOI:10.1037/a0034296