Mindfulness alleviates anxiety

We have known for many years about the  benefits of mindfulness as a way to live more peacefully.  Now, recent research from the Journal of the American Medical Association reinforces mindfulness as a way to reduce anxiety without medications.  This study looked at people with anxiety disorders – one group received an antidepressant medication and the other group participated in an eight week mindfulness based stress reduction program.

Interestingly, both groups reported about a 30 percent decrease in the intensity of their symptoms.  The researchers also suggest that this program can work well when delivered virtually, something that may make a mindfulness program more appealing to some people who are interested in accessing therapeutic programs in a convenient way.