The Benefits of a Mindfulness Exercise in a Performance Situation

Abstract

Background Mindfulness is a state of nonjudgmental attentiveness to moment-to-moment experiences. Interest in implementing mindfulness-based interventions is growing. Objective We investigated the benefit of a short mindfulness exercise for mindfulness novices in a performance situation. Method Participants ( N = 97) engaged in a mindfulness or relaxation exercise and subsequently worked on an achievement test. Results Participants in the mindfulness condition had fewer distracting evaluative thoughts during and experienced less negative affect after the achievement test. Participants also exerted less self-control (vagal withdrawal measured via heart rate variability) during the mindfulness exercise than on the relaxation exercise. In a subsample ( n = 84), selected on the basis of serious involvement in the exercise, mindfulness eliminated the negative association between distracting evaluative thoughts and performance. Furthermore, beneficial effects of mindfulness on distractive thoughts were found for participants low but not high in trait mindfulness. The mindfulness exercise did not influence performance. Conclusion In performance contexts, even brief mindfulness exercises may have beneficial effects for mindfulness novices and people low in trait mindfulness.

From Medication to Meditation: A Critical Disability Studies Analysis of Mindfulness-Based Practices for Children With Learning Disabilities

“…Yet, more specifically, the question of how a CDS lens coincides with practices of mindfulness is imperative in order to part from the deficit understanding of disability. Although one may have the capacity to be mindful, a state of mindfulness requires effort, as one must disregard the instinctive feeling to judge and react to a current external and internal situation (Geisler et al, 2018). Calming the mind and being present enhances both positive feelings and functioning (Huppert & Johnson, 2010).…”

“…Mindfulness works to expand aspects of metacognitive awareness and 'me-cognition', which refers to what an individual thinks and knows about themselves in the privacy of one's own thoughts (Fisher, 2006). This nonjudgmental attention and focus on moment-to-moment experiences can increase one's cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, and resilience (Brown & Ryan, 2003;Semple et al, 2005;Geisler et al, 2018). The practice of controlling the mind to overcome waves of distracting or negative thoughts, allows individuals to become 'centered' -fully conscious of one's entire being, not just within one's own thoughts and feelings (Fisher, 2006;Mendelson et al, 2010).…”

Will and wish: An existential proposal to cope with anxiety.

“…Hence, experiential openness implies assuming an attitude oriented toward receiving a personal experience, to observe it descriptively as much as possible, and know the values and meanings implied in that experience. This experiential openness may be favored by experiential techniques, such as focusing (Gendlin, 1992(Gendlin, , 1996(Gendlin, , 1999(Gendlin, , 2003Weiser Cornell, 1996), mindfulness (Geisler et al, 2018;Felder et al, 2014;Didonna, 2011), or Gestalt techniques (Stevens, 2006). The goal is to focus the individual's attention on receiving, observing, capturing, knowing, and clarifying the experience before attempting to (a) explain or judge their experience and wishes, for example, "It's stupid!…”

The Relationship between Mindfulness Practices and the Psychological State and Performance of Kyokushin Karate Athletes

“…Mahmood et al (2018) [ 29 ] state that mindfulness is one of the new techniques considered in sports psychology to improve athletes’ performance. Mindfulness is characterized by the ability to direct attention to the present moment, recognize emerging experiences, and accept them [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. External events are what the person cannot predict and control [ 34 ], and the cultivation of mindfulness helps to perceive one’s mood, respond to surrounding stimuli more effectively, and reduce stress [ 31 ].…”