In The Moment Mindful Awareness
Issue #8 January 2007	www.Aida-Therapy.com
Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW Psychotherapy 1900 Q ST NW, Ste 401 Washington, DC 20036 202.330.5390   REGISTER HERE for Mindful Awareness groups starting in January!   >>> Forward this to someone who might benefit from this help!     Send me your questions!   E-mail: rob@aida-therapy.com   Visit on the Web: www.aida-therapy.com	In this issue:  Experience Sculpts Brain Circuitry To Build Resiliency To Stress “Scientists have unraveled the workings of brain circuitry that inoculates against developing depression-like symptoms - the circuitry of resilience.”   It's long been known that experiencing control over a stressor immunizes a rat from developing a depression-like syndrome when it later encounters stressors that it can't control. Now, scientists funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have unraveled the workings of the brain circuitry that inoculates against such hard knocks - the circuitry of resilience.   "It's as if the original experience with control leads the animal to later have the illusion of control even when it's absent, thereby producing resilience in the face of challenge," explained NIMH grantee Steven Maier, Ph.D., University of Colorado.   "Lack of control over stressful life experiences has been implicated in mood and anxiety disorders," noted NIMH Director Thomas Insel, M.D. "Understanding how the brain encodes the experience of control to protect against such adverse consequences should help us develop better treatments for these disorders."   "Perceived control, or coping, can buffer individuals against the negative emotional and physiological impact of stress," said Maier. "Enhancing the prefrontal cortex's control over brainstem and other stress-responsive structures appears to be critical for preventing and treating mood and anxiety disorders."   How can this be done?   Daily meditation and mindful awareness. Research findings demonstrate that a short program in mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable effects on brain function. These findings suggest that meditation may change brain function in positive ways.   ►As little as 15 to 30 minutes of mindfulness activity per day has been shown to change brain function and improve mood.   I invite you to attend my 8 week Living Mindfully course to experience for yourself how daily mindfulness can help you to o       Cope more effectively with both short and long-term stressful situations o       Increased ability to relax o       Improved self-esteem o       Reduced pain levels and enhanced ability to cope with pain that doesn’t go away o       Greater energy and enthusiasm for life   Click here to enroll now or to get more  information, or call 202-330-5390   This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. If you’re having a hard time emotionally using this, or other tips, don’t hesitate to call me. We’ll find something that works for you. I’m here to help.   Best regards,   Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW Psychotherapist   Source Citation: Davidson, et. al., Psychosomatic Medicine 65:564–570 (2003) and Maier et. al., Journal of Neuroscience, (2006), http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=59696&nfid=crss
	Getting Help and Support from the Author: If you know of someone in need of help regarding anxiety or stress or other mental health issue, please give me a call. I’m here to help. 202.330.5390 or rob@aida-therapy.com   Rob Williams, MSW, MBA, LGSW 1900 Q ST NW, Suite 401 Washington, DC 20036 202.330.5390 map & directions    Notice of copyright: This newsletter is copyright in its entirety by Rob Williams, 2006, all rights reserved, and may not be reprinted in part or whole without the express permission of the author. Click here to visit my website.   The Fine Print: You are subscribed as To share it with others, simply forward a copy of this email. To receive your own copy and receive news and resources, articles, trainings and other tools, please click here to subscribe to this newsletter. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here. [Home] [About] [Therapy] [Directions] [Groups] [FAQ]