Mind wandering and stress: When you don't like the present moment
Alexandra D Crosswell1, Michael Coccia1, Elissa S Epel1
1Center for Health and Community.
Abstract:
Buddhist philosophy and existing empirical evidence suggest that being engaged in-and accepting-the present moment is associated with greater well-being. However, engaging with the present moment experience and ignoring unwanted thoughts is difficult given the nature of our minds and the competing demands for our attention. This may be especially true when experiencing psychological stress, during which acceptance of current experience may be particularly difficult. This study examines inter- and intraindividual variability in how psychological stress influences daily mind states, and how mind states are related to affect. For 21 days, women (n = 183; half chronically stressed, half low-stress controls) reported levels of mind wandering, engagement with and rejection of their current experience, positive and negative affect, and quality of connection to their partner. Women under chronic stress reported more evening mind wandering, less engagement, and more rejection of the moment, compared to low stress controls. These mind states were in turn associated with more negative evening mood. Daily contextual factors, specifically, having a stressful event (objectively coded) and quality of connection with spouse that day (a known stress buffer), influenced evening mind states. Results provide evidence that chronic and daily psychological stress interfere with daily presence while positive social connection enhances presence in the moment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
More Related Videos
09:37Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control
Published on: July 5, 2015
10:45A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
Related Concept Videos
High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain that...
Psychological Responses to Stress
Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable options,...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the risk...
