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Mindfulness in Motion (MIM): An Onsite Mindfulness Based Intervention (MBI) for Chronically High Stress Work Environments to Increase Resiliency and Work Engagement

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Resisting chocolate temptation using a brief mindfulness strategy.

Kim T Jenkins¹, Katy Tapper

¹Department of Psychology, Swansea University, UK.

British Journal of Health Psychology

|May 18, 2013

Summary

Cognitive defusion, a mindfulness technique, significantly reduced chocolate consumption over five days by making eating less automatic. Acceptance techniques did not show similar effects in this study.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Behavioral Science
Mindfulness Research

Background:

Multicomponent mindfulness interventions show success in behavior change.
Poor self-control correlates with increased BMI and weight gain.
Understanding specific mindfulness techniques' impact on eating behavior is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effectiveness of cognitive defusion and acceptance mindfulness strategies on reducing chocolate consumption.
To determine if these strategies impact the automaticity of chocolate eating.
To compare the effects of cognitive defusion, acceptance, and relaxation on chocolate intake.

Main Methods:

137 participants were assigned to cognitive defusion, acceptance, or relaxation (control) groups.
Participants resisted chocolate consumption for 5 days, carrying chocolates and logging intake.
Automaticity of chocolate consumption was measured before and after the intervention period.

Main Results:

The cognitive defusion group consumed significantly less chocolate compared to the control group.
Diary measures also indicated reduced chocolate intake in the cognitive defusion group.
No significant differences in chocolate consumption were observed between the acceptance and control groups.

Conclusions:

Cognitive defusion presents a promising brief intervention for reducing chocolate consumption.
The study underscores the importance of differentiating the effects of various mindfulness techniques.
Reductions in automaticity of eating may mediate the effects of mindfulness on consumption.