Mindfulness based stress reduction is an eight-week proof-based therapeutic program which provides intensive, mindfulness-based daily meditation and relaxation training to help people cope with chronic stress, burnout, anxiety and chronic pain. Developed by Dr. Michael J. Cole, Ph.D., this program is specifically designed to reduce the root causes of stress and to create lasting change in a person's relationship with their body, mind, and spirit. It uses mindfulness as the framework for transforming these three states and provides students with a powerful understanding of how to connect the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms.
As part of the mindful based stress reduction curriculum, students are given extensive clinical instruction by Dr. Cole, along with a range of clinical practice exercises. During their clinical visits, Dr. Cole and his team of trained consultants assess each student's needs, helping them develop tailored programs based on their personal needs. The final step is a dissertation by one or more of the consultants, which provides the students with an in-depth look at their individual experiences. During the clinical visits, the consultants also offer support and guidance to students as they work through their plans of action. In addition to being assessed during their clinical encounters, students also have the opportunity to participate in a classroom climate created by the program, which helps to reinforce both the science and the compassion behind the mindfulness practice.
Along with the clinical component of the curriculum, students receive an extensive amount of information about stress management, health, statistics, and basic cognitive processes. At the end of the eight week program, students will be given a detailed summary of their progress, which includes a final exam. Students will then be assigned a final project, which will include an extensive statistical analysis of their completed projects. Students will be provided with a copy of their report after the completion of their assigned study. After their final report is complete, students will be given a brief forum session in which they will be presented with their certificates.
The core concepts and core curriculum areas that are covered in a mindfulness-based community learning program include awareness, compassion, acceptance, responsibility, and wisdom. A statistical analysis tool is utilized in this curriculum that is referred to as the WAHA-scale, which is a tool used to evaluate student health at the end of the school year. The tool assesses four areas that all school students experience during the year: independence, social competence, physical health, and mind-body-spirit wellness. The academic performance of students is also measured throughout the year using the same tool.
Beyond providing students with an overview of their progress, this program also provides individuals with a literature review of current topics. A literature review is an important part of the actual course, as this provides students with a chance to explore specific literature on different topics that pertain to the actual program. Additionally, the literature review is typically accompanied by an instructional portion in which the instructor provides examples of actual research and literature review that illustrate the particular concept being discussed. In most cases, instructors will conduct a Skype session for students to engage with their coursework as it pertains to mindfulness.
A mindfulness-based psychotherapist is a professional who has completed an education and is certified in mental health disorders, including psychology. In order to be a certified therapist, a person must have a Masters degree or higher and be able to demonstrate that they are skilled in the application of cognitive and behavioral methods. Some areas that are covered in a mindfulness psychotherapy program include: emotions, cognitive processes, dysfunctional thinking, self-reflection, and interpersonal relationships. Many schools utilize the services of a mindfulness psychotherapist in order to teach students about stress and how to manage it. In addition to assisting individuals with managing stress and addressing common stressors, a therapist will also provide individuals with a literature review of current topics, as well as an introductory talk on mindfulness.
A study performed by researchers at the University of Connecticut found that those who participated in a two and a half day workshop that was focused on reducing anxiety reported significantly lower levels of both stress and depression. Among the many benefits that were identified, the participants noted that the workshop provided an increased sense of control and assertiveness. A survey shows teen stress levels are now higher than ever before, and adults suffer from high levels of stress as well. A survey shows that sixty-three percent of adults over eighteen years old have experienced some type of stress-related problem in the past year. Of these, the majority of these were directly related to work-related issues.
Based on this information, it is clear that there is a strong connection between student characteristics and the level of stress a student experiences. One research question posed to the participants in the class discussed the effects that a teacher's instruction may have on student characteristics. The majority of the individuals indicated that they would feel more comfortable if their instructors attempted to relate to them on a more personal level. In addition to instructors, it was also suggested that parents would benefit from discussing their child's behavior with their children more often. This suggestion was particularly beneficial to female students, as the majority of the individuals indicated that they would be more supportive of their child if their parents attempted to communicate more with them.