{"id":24616,"date":"2025-05-20T14:40:29","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=24616"},"modified":"2025-05-20T14:40:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:40:30","slug":"can-mindfulness-combat-anxiety-latest-research-sheds-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/can-mindfulness-combat-anxiety-latest-research-sheds-light\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Mindfulness Combat Anxiety? Latest Research Sheds Light"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">New research reveals that targeted mindfulness practices can help reduce different types of anxiety, promising a more personalized path to mental well-being. Experts led by WashU&#8217;s Mindfulness Science &amp; Practice cluster uncover how tailored mindfulness can improve mental health.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Anxiety is an all-too-common experience in today\u2019s fast-paced world. Whether it stems from work pressures, financial worries or global uncertainties, many people are seeking effective ways to cope. A promising solution, according to recent research, lies in the practice of mindfulness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mindfulness \u2014 the practice of paying close attention to the present moment without judgment \u2014 has been shown to calm anxiety and improve focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;A lot of research has shown that mindfulness can reduce anxiety symptoms,&#8221; Resh Gupta, a postdoctoral research associate with the Mindfulness Science and Practice research cluster at Washington University in St. Louis, said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite its widely acknowledged benefits, scientists are still unraveling the complexities behind how mindfulness works and which specific techniques might best address varying forms of anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We all experience anxiety, but it can manifest in many different ways,&#8221; Gupta added. &#8220;It\u2019s a tough problem to pin down.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A New Framework for Mindfulness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a paper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0149763425001460\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, Gupta and her co-authors &#8212; Todd Braver, the William R. Stuckenberg Professor in Human Values and Moral Development and a professor of\u00a0psychological and brain sciences at WashU, and Wendy Heller, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign &#8212; propose a nuanced approach to understanding mindfulness and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than advocating a one-size-fits-all method, their research suggests that different mindfulness practices could be tailored to suit specific types of anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we propose that different kinds of mindfulness practices might be helpful for different varieties of anxiety,&#8221; Gupta added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This personalized framework aims to better connect individuals with the most effective mindfulness techniques for their unique anxiety profiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Science Behind Mindfulness and Anxiety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the authors, mindfulness combats anxiety by enhancing cognitive control \u2014 the mental process that governs the regulation of thoughts and actions to achieve goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Cognitive control is the ability to regulate your thoughts and your actions in a way that helps you achieve your goals,&#8221; added Gupta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neuroimaging studies support this notion, showing that mindfulness meditation can modulate brain activity associated with cognitive control, thereby reducing anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, anxiety can impair cognitive control by occupying significant mental resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Worry occupies a lot of space in the brain\u2019s working memory system, which is where your goals are stored,&#8221; Gupta added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Improving cognitive control through mindfulness can disrupt this cycle of worry, enabling better mental function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tailored Mindfulness Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The study identifies that different types of anxiety may benefit from different mindfulness techniques. For instance, people prone to excessive worrying might find relief in focused attention meditation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Focused attention teaches you to choose an anchor, such as your breath or a sound,&#8221; added Gupta. &#8220;You keep bringing your attention back to that anchor every time your mind wanders.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, those experiencing heightened physical symptoms of anxiety might benefit more from open monitoring meditation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Open monitoring allows you to observe all internal and external experiences from moment to moment in a non-reactive, non-judgmental way,&#8221; Gupta added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Vision for the Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Braver is optimistic about the future of mindfulness research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;There is a growing recognition that these practices can be incredibly useful in enhancing psychological well-being,&#8221; he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also highlights the need for continued scientific inquiry to fully understand the mechanisms behind mindfulness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It\u2019s quite empowering to learn these types of practices and to feel like we can be in charge of how we use them to improve our quality of life,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/artsci.washu.edu\/ampersand\/can-mindfulness-combat-anxiety-resh-gupta-todd-braver\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Washington University in St. Louis<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anxiety is an all-too-common experience in today\u2019s fast-paced world. Whether it stems from work pressures, financial worries or global uncertainties, many people are seeking effective ways to cope. A promising solution, according to recent research, lies in the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness \u2014 the practice of paying close attention to the present moment without judgment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[174,300],"class_list":["post-24616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mental-health","tag-university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign","tag-washington-university-in-st-louis"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Anxiety is an all-too-common experience in today\u2019s fast-paced world. Whether it stems from work pressures, financial worries or global uncertainties, many people are seeking effective ways to cope. A promising solution, according to recent research, lies in the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness \u2014 the practice of paying close attention to the present moment without judgment&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24616"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24628,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24616\/revisions\/24628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}