Both definitely serve a purpose, but it depends on what you’re looking for and where you are on your mindfulness journey.
If you want to reduce stress after a particularly hard day or just want to help you sleep one night, apps are perfect. It’s easy and quick to solve. However, if you want to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life and proactively change the way you respond to stressful situations, a Mindfulness-Based Program (MBP) is for you.
Like anything else in life, learning and integrating new skills takes time. Mindfulness is a skill that must be practiced with consistency and discipline to reap the benefits. In a society that wants everything right now, downloading an app in five minutes may seem more appealing than signing up for an eight-week mindfulness program. However, there’s a reason this program is taught over eight weeks in a group setting by highly skilled facilitators. Meditation apps are great, but don’t get me wrong. We even created one ourselves. However, if you want long-term results, we recommend taking the 8-week MBP and gaining the skills and discipline to incorporate mindfulness into your life before using the app.
If you’re still on the fence, here are some reasons to consider taking a program like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Mindfulness-based programs are evidence-based and scientifically supported.
The beneficial effects of meditation and mindfulness-based therapies are supported by a growing body of evidence, particularly MBCT and MBSR. Over 20 years of clinical research has shown it to be effective for people suffering from chronic stress (and everyday stress), anxiety, recurrent depression, chronic pain, substance abuse, and other conditions. Learn more about evidence here.
The 8-week program keeps you accountable and encourages the formation of new positive lifestyle habits.
It is said that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit. So if you join a two-month program where you meet weekly and do practice work at home every day, you’ll be well-equipped to develop new habits that really stick.
Group programs provide support and move you forward.
Hearing about others who are going through similar issues, whether it’s anxiety, stress, depression, or other mental health concerns, will show you that you’re not alone in your struggles. Many people feel a sense of relief when they realize that they are “in it” with the whole group. This group also offers a consultation board, as opposed to meditation apps where you only rely on yourself for support.
The key processes of the investigation and the facilitator’s expertise.
In MBCT and MBSR, the survey and feedback process is essential to the success of the program. Jinder Segal, developer of MBCT, writes in the article, “Trouble with Mindfulness Apps: Clients learn how to become familiar with their thoughts, identify negative patterns, ruminations, or cognitive distortions, and redirect their thought processes.” I explained it perfectly in “Masu”. get into trouble. This is a skills-based approach that allows you to develop the habit of looking at what’s going on in your mind without immediately reacting to the content. It is a process of becoming accustomed to these patterns, and this act of awareness helps loosen the grip of what are called negative thought loops or storylines that these patterns can cause.
That being said, once you’ve completed the eight-week program, it’s important to find a meditation that speaks to you personally and continues to move you forward on your mindfulness journey. This is where mindfulness and meditation apps come into play. Once you master your mindfulness skills, you’ll never run out of apps to choose from and explore.
Click here to learn more about the 8-week program. Download the practice support app with all the meditations for the MBCT, MBSR, and MSC programs here.
