According to researchers in Norway, people with rheumatoid arthritis who participated in mindfulness intervention had decreased psychological distress following the intervention and over the subsequent 12 month period. Mindfulness intervention, as the study explained in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, involves a range of treatment approaches that help people with inflammatory rheumatic joint diseases cope with stress associated with pain and disability by recognizing and understanding their emotions. The emphasis is on accepting and dealing with emotions as they occur rather than denying or avoiding emotions.
It really does make sense that if you can incorporate your emotions into your daily life, you will possess the tools you need to cope and be flexible. In other words, you will be able to deal with the ups and downs that naturally occur with chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis. In this study, the mindfulness program known as the Vitality Training Programme was evaluated. The program addressed issues such as anger, sorrow, joy, values, and personal resources.
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