Anxiety is not limited to just being fretful, agitated, or worried about something trivial. Anxiety disorders such as OCD, PTSD, social anxiety or GAD are so extreme that they have the capacity to adversely affect your lifestyle and almost at times feel debilitating.
There are a number of ways to treat anxiety such a prescription medications and a few different types of therapy, one of which is Mindfulness-based Psychotherapy.
A mindfulness-based approach to psychotherapy is one that aims to establish a deeper connection between the patient and their own feelings and thoughts – causing them to become more aware of what they’re experiencing.
Of the various touted benefits of mindfulness-based psychotherapy, the top 5 are outlined below:
1.Reduced Stress
Stress is one of the biggest trigger points for anxiety-ridden patients. Research indicated that mindfulness-based psychotherapy greatly reduces stress by altering the thought processing, allowing one to selectively choose positivity over the negativity.
2.Increased Focus
It has been shown that mindfulness helps anxiety patients focus their minds and attention. They are better able to sift and eliminate the distractions to decrease anxiety and increase their productivity.
3.Decreased Emotional Volatility
People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to effectively control their emotions and hence are more prone to emotional reactivity or volatility. According to research, mindfulness-based psychotherapy allows patients to better control their feelings and emotions and disengage themselves when faced with emotionally triggering circumstances.
4.Increased Relationship Satisfaction
Studies have found that mindfulness allows anxiety patients to communicate to and understand their partners better. An individual’s ability to be mindful can effectively predict their relationship satisfaction and success.
5.Improved Memory
As found through various studies, mindful meditation seems to significantly enhance and improve a person’s mental capacity especially during or after periods of high-stresses. This is particularly beneficial for patients suffering from anxiety disorders who struggle with stressful situations, which can adversely affect their short and long term memory.