Singing together: what studies say about choirs and well-being
From the iso-polyphony of the south to wedding songs, Albanians have always sung together. Modern studies suggest that group singing can lower stress and bring people together faster.
Mindfulness
8 articles
Mindfulness in schools: what the MYRIAD trial with 8,000 pupils showed
Many schools around the world have introduced mindfulness exercises for pupils. When the idea was rigorously tested in 84 British schools, the results were disappointing. But that does not mean it was all in vain.
Eating mindfully: the raisin exercise and what the evidence says
We often eat while looking at our phone, working or talking, and a few minutes later cannot remember what we ate. Mindful eating is a way of turning a meal into an experience.
From “sati” to “mindfulness”: the old roots of a modern practice
The mindfulness taught today in hospitals, schools and offices has roots in Buddhist texts some 2,500 years old. Knowing this history helps us understand better what we are practising.
Mindfulness without a cushion: informal practice in everyday life
Not everyone has 20 minutes a day to sit still with eyes closed. But most of us have short moments during the day when we can be fully present.
Thoughts are not facts: what “decentering” is
When the mind tells us “you will fail”, we often believe it at once. But a thought is only a thought. The ability to see this is called decentering, and it can be practised.
Listening to the body from within: what interoception is
Besides the five familiar senses, we have a sense that tells us what is happening inside the body. Scientists call it interoception, and it is closely linked with how we experience emotions.
Meditation apps: do they really work?
Millions of people have downloaded a meditation app. Very few use it after a few weeks. Studies show that apps can help, but the way we use them matters as much as the app itself.