Mindfulness and Physical Activity

Abstract

Mindfulness and mindful activity can have a profound effect on physical and mental health. When considering mindfulness and physical activity, it is important to differentiate between physical activities, which are geared toward mindfulness and have mindful components, for example, yoga, platies, and tai chi, from other mindfulness interventions that are then geared toward greater awareness and mindfulness, which may then lead to healthful behavior change such as increasing physical activity. Prescribing mindfulness interventions may be another resource to help physicians when interacting with their patients, considering motivating patients to exercise and become more physically active can be challenging. Engaging in mindfulness can elicit change over time. Integrating mindfulness to interventions with exercise is one way to initiate exercise adherence as well as improve self-efficacy. When practicing mindful-based exercise programs, the benefits can also be seen with improved breathing rate and depth, heart rate, and parasympathetic activity. Promoting mindfulness-based training for physical activity has positive effects both psychologically and physiologically.