Mindfulness: Why do we fight the need to restore?

Mindfulness: Why do we fight the need to restore?

Yesterday, my friend told me that he was so stressed about the homework he had to do but couldn't focus, so I suggested that he try meditating because he was exhibiting signs of directed attention fatigue. 

He laughed and called me a hippie.

Since meditation originated in India and China about the 5th century BCE, millions of people across cultures have practiced it, and there is strongly supported scientific research backing its benefits. Why, then do people still make fun of me for meditating, or laugh at my suggestion of a nature walk, meditation, or yoga in response to their complaints about stress? Why do so many Americans still insist on fueling their burn-out and illness with coffee and pills before considering wise management rather than laughing it off as a "hippie" thing to do? We can all be happier, healthier people through simple, day-to-day mindfulness practices if we open our minds to new ways of thinking about our well-being. Further, these practices can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, common mental illnesses that I hear about from friends on campus on a daily basis. 

But we have to be willing to accept our need to restore.

How can we explain the benefits of these restoration techniques to people fighting restoration in a way that they will listen?

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• Yoga?
  

Yoga is a great way to be mindful while being around friends. A skeptical friend may be more willing to try this if you take them to a yoga class in a group of friends. People tend to be followers, so being around other people enjoying an activity makes it seem more socially acceptable. 

• Meditation?
  

I know a lot of people who don't buy into meditation, but meditation is one of the easiest, quickest stress reducers. If you have a friend who's really stressed out, suggesting they try a 5 to 10 minute daily meditation for a couple days isn't a huge time sacrifice. If you challenge them to just humor you by taking 5 minutes out of their day to meditate, they may be willing to give it a shot.

• Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy?

These require a time commitment: 8 weekly sessions 2 hours per day, or 20-45 minute daily practice. However, it reduces chronic stress, depression, anxiety, and addiction. If 20-45 minutes can significantly enhance your daily quality of life, it could be well worth the time investment. People who are really struggling with mental illness may be more open to trying this type of restoration. It's a more long-term, holistic approach to daily well-being.

...

By encouraging people with directed attention fatigue and mental illness to engage in these mindfulness practices, we can normalize mindfulness as an important part of holistic well-being. With reduced DAF, people regularly practicing mindfulness will then be more open and willing to change their lifestyles in a way that's compatible with the energy descent scenario. 

We can shift away from a society that encourages exhaustion fueled by coffee to a society that encourages a holistic approach to mind and body wellness.