The practice of mindfulness has benefits for the American workforce. It helps with stress reduction, focus and self-awareness—even improves engagement and productivity. But according to a new study, many people are using it in the wrong way. Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that most laypeople confuse the mindfulness practices with passive acceptance of problems—a misconception scientists say ignores the important work of engaging with life’s challenges. 

The Correct Use Of Mindfulness 

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment, being aware of what you’re experiencing while you’re experiencing it and accepting without judgment whatever arises whether it is a thought, feeling or body sensation. It involves both accepting and engaging with life’s challenges, and that’s what popularized concepts of mindfulness tend to miss, the Waterloo researchers found. “Scientific understanding of mindfulness goes beyond mere stress-relief and requires a willingness to engage with stressors,” said Igor Grossmann, a professor of social psychology and one of the authors. “It is, in fact, the engagement with stressors that ultimately results in stress relief. More specifically, mindfulness includes two main dimensions: awareness and acceptance.”

Many newcomers try to use mindfulness meditation to zone out, withdraw from and avoid life’s challenges or get rid of unpleasant thoughts. But Mindfulness is an active engagement with your thoughts and life’s challenge—not a passive acceptance of them. It’s a tool to help you observe the habitual workings of your mind, how your thoughts create stress and how you can get them to relax. Studies show the way you pay attention in the present moment directly affects your mind, body and brain and your interpersonal relationships. Scientists report that, when done correctly, practicing mindfulness slows down your heart rate and brain wave patterns and boosts your