MIND TRAINING
Stemming from the latest research behind mind-body medicine, positive psychology, and neuroscience, Mind Training combines evidence-based tools such as meditation and mindfulness-based practices to rewire the brain for enhanced health outcomes.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Mind Training stems from the groundbreaking research in mind-body medicine which is now showing that the very way we think and feel can enhance our overall physical health, and maximise our ability to heal from a wide array of illnesses that are triggered and/or exacerbated by stress.
It all comes down to the way our brain conveys messages to the body from the amygdala (the brain's alarm system). For instance, when the amygdala perceives a threat, it activates the stress response, flooding the body with stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which inhibit self-repair mechanisms, such as the generation of new immune cells.⠀
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While the stress response is only designed to be triggered very rarely in emergencies, research is showing that in the modern world, humans are in the stress response up to 50 times per day! This is because the brain cannot distinguish between real life-threatening danger or a stressful thought or situation, which are constant in today's fast paced world. Because a body that is in chronic stress cannot allocate the resources required for healing, this is a real problem.
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There is, however, a counterbalancing relaxation response which, when activated, releases healing hormones and chemicals such as oxytocin and dopamine throughout the body. When activated, the relaxation response switches off the stress response and switches on self-repair mechanisms. Mind Training works by activating the relaxation response through scientifically proven tools such as meditation and mindfulness, prompting this cascade of physiological changes in the brain and body allowing for healing and self-repair.
Through dialling down stress and dialling up inner calm, Mind Training helps rewire the brain for optimum health and wellbeing.
THE SCIENCE
Empirical research is now demonstrating that Mind Training tools, including meditation and mindfulness-based practices, have many significant benefits for psychological, cognitive and physical health.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Increased happiness and greater sense of meaning
Improved resilience and self-esteem
Enhanced compassion for self and others
Increased life and work satisfaction
Enhanced quality of relationships
Decreased stress and burnout
Reduced anxiety and depression
COGNITIVE
increased attention and focus
enhanced working memory
greater creativity and innovation
enhanced problem solving skills
decreased mind-wandering
reduced age-related cognitive decline
PHYSICAL
enhanced immune and gut function
improved cardiovascular factors (e.g. cholesterol, blood pressure)
enhanced brain functioning
better sleep quality
increased cortical thickening in areas of the brain associated with attention, memory, emotional intelligence and empathy
greater length of telomeres (biomarker for worsening health and early death)
reduced levels of cortisol (stress hormone)
decreased expression of genes linked to inflammation
Mind Training for Chronic Illness
Mind Training tools have also demonstrated significant positive effects in a variety of chronic health conditions and disease groups.
↓ inflammatory responses in autoimmune disease
↓ motor symptoms in Parkinson’s patients
↓ disease-specific symptoms, pain and anxiety associated with IBS and IBD
↓ disease and treatment related symptoms in cancer patients
↓ pain in patients with chronic headaches and TMJ disorders
↓ pain intensity in patients with chronic pain
With a focus on Mind Training, our online Mindful Healing Program is designed to complement your treatment plan by reducing stress and optimising overall wellbeing.
MIND TRAINING WITH MUSE
We know first-hand just how off-putting meditation can be for beginners. We also know just how powerful it can be to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. That's why we have partnered with Muse, the brain sensing headband, to show you exactly what’s happening in your brain while you meditate.
Muse is a research-grade EEG device that senses your brain activity during meditation and translates the brain waves into guiding sounds to help you stay calm and focused. The headband produces real-time measures of your brain state that can be reviewed via the Muse app to help assist with your training progress.
Select Mindflow Wellbeing workshops and retreats offer guided sessions with Muse headbands to introduce participants to the science of Mind Training. Muse headbands are also available for purchase as an add-on within our wellbeing programs to facilitate enhanced Mind Training outcomes.
