Mindfulness regulates the stress response by strengthening the noticing part of the brain in the frontal lobes.

The brain has a bias to pick up on negative events, rather than positive or neutral ones. This has helped us survive as a species - it also creates a lot of suffering if left unchecked.

Mindfulness practice gives us skills so that we are not controlled by this bias.

The more you practice mindfulness, the more your brain will remember to engage all parts of the brain, even under stressful events. You are strengthening these integrative neural pathways every time you stop to sit down and pay attention.

This week try a longer meditation practice, mindfulness of breath, and set an intention to do this 10 minutes a day.

Practice 3. Mindfulness of Breath

Practice 4. Mindfulness of Emotions