Research suggests that mindfulness practices can shape areas of the brain involved in attention, emotional regulation, stress response, and self-awareness. Studies using brain imaging have linked regular mindfulness practice with changes in the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s “pause and choose” system, and the amygdala, the alarm system that reacts to threat.
The nervous system can handle short bursts of stress. It is built for that. Trouble starts when the body keeps getting the message that it must stay alert, perform, respond, and push through without enough recovery.
