BETTER LIVING THROUGH SCIENCE
HOPE PREVAILS
Optimism trumps mindfulness when things get tough, says the science
by IAN TAYLOR
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ILLUSTRATION: JESUS ESCUDERO
Ian is a freelance science writer and the former deputy editor of BBC Science Focus.
In the last decade or so, mindfulness has been one of the revelations in the science of wellness. Researchers have shown that meditative practice can lower stress, reduce blood pressure, improve sleep and promote good mood.
But there’s a but, because in science there’s almost always a but. Mindfulness doesn’t work for everyone and for some people, it can lead to adverse effects, such as increased anxiety or depression.