A Real-World Application of Short Mindfulness-Based Practices: A Review and Reflection of the Literature and a Practical Proposition for an Effortless Mindful Lifestyle

Michail Mantzios; Kyriaki Giannou

doi:10.1177/1559827618772036

A Real-World Application of Short Mindfulness-Based Practices: A Review and Reflection of the Literature and a Practical Proposition for an Effortless Mindful Lifestyle

Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018 Apr 27;13(6):520-525. doi: 10.1177/1559827618772036. eCollection 2019 Nov-Dec.

Authors

Michail Mantzios^{1

2}, Kyriaki Giannou^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Birmingham City University, West Midlands, UK (MM).
² Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, UK (KG).

Abstract

Mindfulness has become known to the Western world through mindfulness programs that entail different formal and informal mindfulness practices. To enable initiation and commitment to a practice of mindfulness and to enhance the intrinsic motivation to follow and commit to a more demanding mindfulness program and facilitate a lifestyle adaptation, we argue that associating 1 short, accessible, and easy to use mindfulness practice with implementation intentions and habit formation may be the best way forward for novices in meditation and mindfulness. We trust that other theories and findings from psychological science can enhance and enable a mindful lifestyle, which will strengthen the capacity to upkeep optimal living and being.

Keywords: habit formation; habitual mindfulness practice (HMP); implementation intentions; mindfulness; mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs).

Publication types

Review