Unmasking Mindfulness: The Dark Side of the Wellness Industry
The hidden dangers of mindfulness nobody talks about
Practicing meditation and mindfulness is often suggested as a catch-all solution for a variety of mental-health problems. Many people choose to practice mindfulness in addition to (or as an alternative to) taking medications, because they believe it carries no risks.
Are they right to believe that?
Understanding the “practice of mindfulness”
“Mindfulness” can mean many different things to many different people. A good place to start in understanding its benefits and risks might be to revisit its basic definition.
According to Psychology Today, mindfulness is “a state of active, open attention to the present.” It can further be described as “observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.”
Mindfulness has its roots in Hindu and Buddhist teachings, and is often suggested as a way to combat stress, anxiety, and depression. Throughout the twentieth century and beyond, its practice became part of recognized therapy programs, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
