Joe Boylan’s Post

As it turns out, hope is a strategy. And a really good one! “Many researchers view mindfulness as a metacognitive process, that is, something that enables people to consciously monitor and modulate their attention, emotions and behaviors to attend to the current moment in an open and curious, nonjudgmental way. Hope, meanwhile, functions as a future-oriented state that helps people to reflect on one’s perceived ability to generate pathways around challenges. When researchers pooled together data from 23 other studies of mindfulness in the workplace, they discovered that even though this mindset helped people with anxiety and distress in general, it did not have clear benefits for problems such as job-related burnout. Meanwhile, when you’re facing a prolonged, difficult situation—whether it’s unemployment, a health crisis or any other major life challenge—actively working to maintain hope can be a powerful coping strategy. Much as people are encouraged to practice mindfulness, they can also benefit from cultivating hope. This doesn’t mean indulging in blind optimism but rather having belief that things can improve, coupled with the motivation to work toward that improvement.” While mindfulness has its benefits, during high-stress times, a hopeful outlook can be more beneficial by motivating individuals to envision a brighter future and actively pursue goals! https://lnkd.in/exiBJ-cS #coaching #wellbeing #performance #peakperformance #emotionalintelligence #emotionalregulation #hopeisastrategy #hope

🔍 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐦” (2021) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 🔍 I recently revisited a 2021 Scientific American article titled "The Science of Spiritual Narcissism." Written when mindfulness was at its height of popularity, the article suggests that some individuals may develop a sense of superiority through these practices. While there are valid points, it’s important to differentiate between using mindfulness for enlightenment or spirituality—which is completely fine for those who choose that lifestyle—and its practical application in today’s fast-paced business world. In sales and high-pressure roles, most professionals aren’t seeking “enlightenment” through mindfulness. Instead, they’re looking for tools that help them stay focused, reduce stress, and maintain resilience under constant pressure. The data backs this up. Research from Harvard, Stanford, and the APA confirms that even 15-30 minutes of mindfulness daily can significantly boost mental health and productivity: A Harvard study found that 8 weeks of mindfulness improves emotional regulation, focus, and well-being. The APA notes that mindfulness reduces anxiety and depression, enhancing decision-making and resilience. Stanford University research shows mindfulness boosts cognitive function, critical for clear thinking in high-stakes settings. Mindfulness can be a lifestyle, and for many, it is. However, it’s also a practical tool for business professionals. It helps regain focus, manage stress, and improve emotional balance. A few minutes of mindfulness before a meeting or after a tough sales call can keep people grounded and effective. The article warns of narcissism, but those using mindfulness for performance enhancement fit well in competitive environments. Narcissism is already present in many Western businesses. The difference is that mindfulness helps redirect ambition toward compassionate leadership and focused, sustainable performance. Mindfulness in business is a clear ROI. It’s not about enlightenment—it’s about mental clarity and productivity. For professionals in high-pressure roles, that’s exactly the edge needed. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gRT_XZS3 #MindfulnessAtWork #MentalHealth #BusinessWellbeing #FocusAndResilience #GrowthMindset

Professor Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, co-authored an enlightening article in Scientific American on the emerging science of advanced #meditation and its potential to transform mental health. The past decade has seen significant advancements in our understanding of the neuroscience behind meditation, highlighting its extensive benefits for mental well-being, stress reduction, and productivity. Advanced meditation practices, which require deeper and more intense training, are now being studied for their ability to induce profound psychological transformations. Dr. Brewer's research at Brown University's Mindfulness Center is pioneering in this field, revealing the brain activity associated with advanced meditative states and their potential to lead to deep psychological insights and clarity. More:

Journaling is a simple yet profound tool to help deepen your self-awareness to understand what really makes you tick. My latest post explores just how transformative journaling can be. https://lnkd.in/g4nPfDvk

When you look under the cover of Mindfulness Practice, you begin to discover the profound nuance and somewhat counterintuitive nature of how being present, even for discomfort and pain, is the portal to ease and relief. https://buff.ly/3MFBsuh #mbsr #mindfulness #meditation #chronicpain #burnout

💡 Insightful read from Scientific American. Viewing stress as a signal that our minds are doing their best to navigate uncertainty can be empowering. It shifts the narrative from feeling like something is 'wrong with us' to 'this is human.' 🌱 If we approach stress with more compassion for ourselves, it can make it easier to manage! #MentalHealth #StressManagement #SelfCompassion #Mindfulness #Wellbeing https://lnkd.in/eK3GXph6

#meditation is a powerful tool for transformation. #mindfulness #executivecoaching #emotionalintelligence I teach my clients how to take short, mini, meditations throughout the day. They experience more #clarity more #focus and feel calmer.

Meditation is transforming mental health, but fascinating new research shows it could also alter our consciousness and redefine our sense of self. The team at Massachusetts General and Harvard's Meditation Research Program is employing advanced neuroimaging techniques to investigate deep meditative states, providing critical insights into consciousness and brain function in advanced meditators. This latest research wave aligns with growing interest in altered states of consciousness, particularly psychedelic research. Both fields explore profound mental shifts, deepen our understanding of the human mind, and could lead to some of the most exciting breakthroughs in mental health of our lifetime. Excited for the possibilities that research will unlock 🧘♂️✨ Read the article here: https://buff.ly/3RMaYK7 #MentalHealth #Consciousness #Meditation

Advanced meditation can profoundly alter consciousness and our basic sense of self. - 🧘♂️ Deep meditation practices change brain function. - 🌌 Enhances feelings of unity with the environment. - 🔄 Reduces the sense of a permanent, unchanging self. #Meditation #Consciousness #SelfAwareness - 📊 Research shows potential mental health benefits. - 🧠 Neurobiological changes observed in advanced practitioners. - 🌱 Opens new avenues for well-being and personal growth. Advanced Meditation Alters Consciousness and Our Basic Sense of Self https://lnkd.in/geNxFn2y

I'd love to share with you one of my favorite topics - positive embodiment. You might be wondering, 'What does that even mean?' At its heart, positive embodiment explores our relationship with our bodies and how this connection fundamentally shapes our wellbeing. Through the last few years of research in this field, I've discovered that the way we inhabit and experience our physical selves has profound implications for how we move through the world and experience life. https://lnkd.in/e_aYiH8U