Why Should You Read A Mindfulness Book?
As humans look for ways to combat stress and live their lives with more peace of mind, mindfulness has emerged as a potential option for self-care and comfort. Mindfulness can improve productivity and lower stress levels, allowing people to enhance their well-being by taking a few minutes out of their day to engage in this practice. Likewise, reading can improve concentration, reduce stress, and stimulate the brain. Reading a mindfulness book has the potential to give you double the benefits for your physical and mental health.
What is mindfulness?
As a concept, mindfulness is quite abstract. People differ in what they consider mindful practice, but the key basis is that your mind is fully focused on what is happening in the now. We're often guilty of being semi-focused and having other things going on mentally even when we're supposed to be focused on whatever we're doing. Our minds wander, and we can start getting more bogged down in our thoughts and less focused on what we're doing, which can eventually lead to anxiety when the task isn't being completed properly or our thoughts become overbearing.
Mindfulness means nothing more or less than being present and aware. It is not a reactive state or one that requires thought. Rather, it is merely an ability to focus your thoughts and not become overwhelmed.
Why should you read a mindfulness book?
Unlike articles on the internet, books tend to go much more in-depth into their analysis and methods. This means that rather than a skimmed article that only gives you pointers, you're more likely to get all the information you need to practice mindfulness successfully by reading a book about it. It may be easier to understand and follow mindfulness practices when you can move at a slower, more detailed pace.
Books are also more likely to be written by professionals or those who have enough experience to teach mindfulness. Try to research your books beforehand to ensure that the book is going to be readable and in a style that you can understand. This can be particularly important when reading independently published books that have not gone through a thorough editing or research process.
Another reason you might consider a book is that you'll have to commit to paying for it. Paying for a physical item may make you more likely to use it because you've already invested something (money) into it, so you're more likely to also invest the time. If you're working with a therapist, they may have even written a book of their own which they can suggest.
These are some of the top books on mindfulness that you may want to check out:
- “The Miracle of Mindfulness” by Thich Nhat Hanh
- “Self-Compassion” by Kristin Neff, Ph.D.
- “Mind-Body Medicine” by Daniel Goleman
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
Another reason you might read a mindfulness book is to help understand and determine the degree of the issues you are experiencing. All of us experience sadness for a brief time at some point in our lives, but some people struggle with mental health conditions like depression. Reading a book may give you more insight into the state of your mental health. Since books are more detailed, you can explore whether you may have symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, or something else entirely.
While depression is common and can become a chronic issue, it is treatable.
How mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) supports mental health and wellbeing
MBCT helps patients connect with their moods and mental processes through meditation and mindfulness so that they can change their mindset and fight their depression. Unlike the natural tendency to try and bury these thoughts or ignore them, it requires patients to approach them head-on, similar to CBT therapies. MBCT can also work for those with traumatic brain injuries, addiction, and anxiety disorders.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
While there is no formal training for MBCT, UCSD does have a certification for mental health professionals at their Center for Mindfulness - so check credentials first before making an appointment if you're specifically looking for MBCT. Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the original mindfulness program specifically for stress reduction, but it has since been extended and connected with depression. The theories behind its development are still being expanded.
How does mindfulness help?
Eventually, with practice, mindfulness can become something you do naturally even when you're doing mundane tasks like walking or sitting. It acts as short pauses within your life that can be quite meditative even if you're not a natural meditator. The idea is that when you practice being mindful, you'll feel less stressed, more insightful, and more attentive to things around you. When you meditate, you don't focus on what the outcome is, you focus on the present and try and hone your awareness by observing what goes on in your mind.
Reduce stress through mindful reading and practice
Stress is one of the biggest problems we encounter in our everyday lives, and it’s known to cause a variety of physical and mental health issues. A study on MBSR shows that mindfulness can make a huge difference in tackling stress and many practitioners and studies have corroborated this. It creates new pathways in the brain so that our brains react differently to everyday stressors and treat them less as a "fight or flight" situation and foster a more balanced, resilient mindset.
Stronger brain function and the ability to pay attention
People who practice mindfulness tend to have more focus and are clearer thinkers. This has also been studied in aging brains, and the results show that people who are mindful as they age see less age-related degeneration. There have also been several studies linking mindfulness with improved depression symptoms and better mental health status. Regular mindfulness promotes long-term brain health by reinforcing neural pathways supporting resilience and mental clarity.
Improved immune function with mindfulness meditation
While it might seem a stretch to connect the two, studies have shown that people who practice mindfulness are not only overall healthier but are also more equipped to handle diseases like the common cold. Studies on patients with more difficult diseases like cancer have also shown improvements in morale and less pain than others receiving similar treatments. Research suggests that mindfulness meditation can help regulate stress-related hormones essential in supporting immune function.
Improved work/academic performance
The way memory works is by creating a pathway and then using it over and over until it becomes familiar. However, when your brain is overwhelmed or overtaxed, it can struggle to do this. Poor memory often means poor performance, so by using mindfulness to improve memory and focus, your performance may also improve. This has been studied with children and those at the college and professional levels. You're also less likely to experience burnout, and as an employer, you might see fewer employees quitting due to work-related stress.
Effective methods to learn mindfulness and reduce stress
One of the most productive ways to learn mindfulness is by simply trying. Every attempt you make at practicing mindfulness makes it more likely that you'll be able to continue doing it and be successful. Engaging in mindfulness regularly can make it more likely that you’ll adopt it as part of your regular life, helping to reduce stress and improve focus.
Common challenges in learning mindfulness and how to overcome them
It's not uncommon to struggle when trying to learn mindfulness. The reason for this could be any number of things - your ability to focus may be so dire that it isn't soaking in, your method of learning isn't right for you, or you may have read unhelpful material. Directly interacting with someone familiar with mindfulness may be most beneficial to your learning process.
Online counseling with BetterHelp
Mindfulness books can be a useful tool in overcoming mental health concerns; however, they are not a replacement for therapy. If you’d like more information about mindfulness, or you can’t find relief from your symptoms through your own means, it can be vital to seek support. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that can connect you with a therapist from the comfort of your home. Working with an online therapist, you can develop new tools to stay present and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Whether you choose to connect through video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging, the choice is yours.
The efficacy of online counseling
Online counseling, including online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), can be effective in reducing symptoms of a variety of mental health concerns. One study found that MBIs can successfully reduce depression and anxiety and improve quality of life. Further, researchers found that they are “beneficial for improving mental health outcomes in a broad range of populations.”
Takeaway
What are the best mindfulness books for mindful reading?
Opinions can vary on what the best mindfulness books are, but the following are generally considered to be helpful books on the subject (and if you are not much of a reader, many of these books are also available on audio CD):
- Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
- Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
- Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by A. Mark Williams and Danny Penman
- The Blooming of a Lotus by Thich Nhat Han
- Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The above books contain guided meditations, writing prompts, and personal stories of mindfulness development to help readers embark on their own mindfulness journey. Many of these books can serve as a practical guide to implementing mindfulness practices into one’s own life.
What is the number one book on mindfulness?
While there are no metrics for determining the number one mindfulness book, Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn is authored by the person who is considered one of the founders of mindfulness.
What are the 5 steps of mindfulness meditation?
Five steps of mindfulness, according to UC Berkeley, include:
- Mindful breathing
- Concentration
- Awareness of your body and the present moment
- Releasing tension from daily life
- Walking meditation practice
These steps help you pay attention to the present moment and can be beneficial for anyone looking to cultivate mindfulness meditation as a daily practice.
What are the 4 C's of mindfulness?
The 4 C’s of mindfulness are creativity, culture, contemplation, and community.
Who is mindfulness good for?
Mindfulness can be a helpful practice for a range of people. Anyone who is interested in finding peace in today’s frantic world, or who experiences a constant state of stress or anxiety that impacts their decision-making could benefit from mindfulness. Mindfulness can help a person develop more compassion or understand their own experiences better. Additionally, many mindfulness practices such as mindful eating can be beneficial for one’s physical health as well.
Is mindfulness the key to life?
Many people may find that mindfulness can help them feel more balanced and give them a helpful perspective on their lives. Life can be a complex journey, and no one practice is likely to be the “key” to figuring life out, but mindfulness can be helpful.
Where do I start with mindfulness to pay attention?
Many people who are beginners to the practice of mindfulness find it easiest to begin to implement mindfulness into aspects of their day-to-day lives. You can practice mindful eating, for example, by taking a moment during your meal to focus on the tastes and textures of your food, or to think about how your food was made. While walking, you can pay attention to the ways your legs move, or how your feet feel against the floor or ground. These simple practices can help cultivate a habit of mindful awareness and attention to the present moment.
Why should you read a mindfulness book to bring more focus and calm into your daily routine?
Reading a mindfulness book may offer practical tools to help you slow down and focus on the present moment, which can ease stress. It can also provide insights and techniques you can apply to bring a sense of calm and clarity into your everyday life.
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