Mindfulness meditation plays a very important role in Buddhism and is a recommended practice for focusing attention on the present moment and concentrating on the sensations that come to mind while simultaneously analyzing whether or not these thoughts and feelings are permanent or fleeting, pleasant or not. Studies have associated altered time perception with greater psychological well-being, the researchers said.
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Here’s how it works: Researchers from Florida State University did an experiment with 51 students to explore the power of meditation while washing dishes.
Washing the dishes can be a calming activity, and not just because it’s repetitive.
Before participants started, they were parted into two groups who each read different passages.
But researchers say it’s all about the way you approach the process of cleaning your dishes.
A recent study revealed that the people who maintain focus on the dishes and carefully planning their actions feel less stressed. The control group, on the other hand, washed 18 dishes without the mindfulness instruction.
The idea is not totally new, as previous research has shown that chores – specifically washing the dishes – can be a good opportunity for relaxation. They encouraged half of the students to focus on the sensory part of the experience (smelling the detergent, feeling the hot water, noticing the shape of the dishes). Nervousness ratings decreased by 27 percent in the mindful dishwashers, while mental inspiration increased by 25 percent.
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“Implications for these findings are diverse and suggest that mindfulness as well as positive affect could be cultivated through intentionally engaging in a broad range of activities”, the researchers wrote.
