Mindfulness Effects

Physical

• Reduces stress (as measured by hormone levels)
• Helps with chronic pain
• Appears to help with asthma, inflammation, surgical recovery time
• Improves Immune functions and cardiovascular health
• Helps with sleep
• Improves eating habits

Psychological

• Positive effects on depression, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD), social anxiety, post-dramatic stress
• Disorder, (PTSD), borderline personality disorder
• Boosts in moods, self-esteem, compassion

Neurological

• Growth in gray matter in prefrontal cortex and insular cortex
• Less active amylgada
• Growth in temporo parietal junction and hippocampus
• Positive changes in brain-wave patterns associated with well being

Academic

• Improves concentration capacity, selective and sustained attention, executive function, memory, overall cognitive functioning and performance
• Reduces teen anxiety
• Improves creativity, learning efficiency, effort, classroom behavior, on-task behavior, attendance

Behavioral

• Reduces binge eating, self-harm, substance abuse, aggressive behavior, accidents

* For further details: C. Willard, “Growing up Mindful”, page 20