Mindfulness meditation

When we are overwhelmed by our thoughts, suffocated by our ruminations, submerged by our anticipations, when we function on autopilot and have the impression that our life is passing us by, mindfulness meditation is a breath of fresh air to find our bearings in the present.

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1. WHAT IS MINDFULNESS MEDITATION ?

Mindfulness is a state of presence in the moment. It is the full experience of the sensations, emotions and thoughts that flow through us, without dwelling on or becoming attached to them.

Mindfulness meditation is therefore the practice that allows us to train ourselves to reach this state, to let go of our mental attachments in order to reconnect in the present moment with a conscious attention that can be internal, on physical sensations or emotions for example, or external, turned towards sounds, events, etc…

Inspired by Buddhist meditations, it is however not spiritual. It is a real therapeutic tool with many benefits.

2. MEDITATION AND RELAXATION, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE ?

Relaxation is a practice whose primary goal is to achieve a state of relaxation and well-being. Whether it is a muscular relaxation (Jacobson’s progressive relaxation), respiratory (cardiac coherence) or by self-hypnosis (Schultz’s autogenic training), the relaxation session is supposed to immediately relieve stress and anxiety, with more or less long-lasting effects in time. The primary objective, however, remains in the very short term.

Meditation, on the other hand, has no immediate feel-good purpose. It is an exercise that can be difficult or boring. Some people find it relaxing, but it is not particularly sought after and far from being systematic. On the other hand, mindfulness brings in the long term a set of abilities of detachment from thoughts and emotions, of acceptance of difficulties, to cope with daily life.

3. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION IN DAILY LIFE ?

Lhe first effect is that of serenity. Situations that once seemed insurmountable seem less important, less impressive. Mindfulness helps to relativize and put distance between our thoughts and the impact they may have. The intrusive thoughts are just that: thoughts. Mental events that have no impact on reality. They appear, we become aware of them, then they disappear. Not dwelling on them allows us to prevent them from clinging to our consciousness, to let them slide and disappear.

The same is true foremotions, simple mental events that are born, live for a short time in our mind before quietly disappearing.

Becoming aware of the ephemeral nature of thoughts and emotions allows one to realize that no suffering is infinite, that no difficulty can last forever, and that although it is important to fully experience one’s thoughts and emotions when they appear, they will always eventually disappear.

Mindfulness also allows, in an ultra-connected and ever-moving, future-oriented world, to refocus on the present, to get off autopilot, and to fully rediscover the experiences of life.

4. IN WHAT SITUATIONS SHOULD MEDITATION BE USED ?

Mindfulness meditation can be beneficial to everyone. It allows everyone to free themselves from superfluous worries and to reconnect with the present for a more serene life.

However, it is an extremely useful tool in the treatment of many pathologies :

  • depression (more specifically the MBCT program)
  • anxiety disorders (more specifically the MBSR program)
  • ADHD
  • PTSD
  • chronic pain
  • sleep disorders
  • anxiety disorder related to a chronic illness


More generally, mindfulness meditation can help patients suffering from negative intrusive thoughts and ruminations by making them more aware of the ephemeral nature of cognitions and reducing their impact. Thoughts are seen as mere mental events with no impact on the real world, which diminishes their effect and facilitates cognitive restructuring.

5. HOW TO PRACTICE MINDFULNESS ?

Nowadays, many tools and guides are available for free on the Internet. They offer a good introduction to the practice of mindfulness, without going into the details of more advanced programs.

If you suffer from any of the above disorders, or feel that mindfulness meditation could be beneficial in your life over the long term, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trained professional who will be able to offer you a program tailored to your needs.

Professionals wishing to learn to practice mindfulness can turn to training in specialized therapeutic protocols such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Practicing mindfulness also helps to teach it, to better understand the experience of this practice, its difficulties, and the solutions that can help practice it.

Virtual Reality and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapies (VRET) also offer additional tools for mindfulness practice, with digital environments to facilitate and guide meditation practice.

Do you need further information or have any specific questions ?

FAQ

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that enables patients to be exposed to immersive and controlled environments, facilitating the management of numerous psychological and psychiatric disorders. Its use in mental health offers several advantages:
  • Gradual and Controlled Exposure: VR allows patients to confront anxiety-inducing situations in a secure environment, gradually adjusting the intensity of stimuli to promote habituation and emotional regulation.
  • Realistic and Reproducible Environments: Unlike traditional techniques, VR provides immersive scenarios that can be consistently reproduced, ensuring a coherent and effective approach.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: The interactive and immersive nature of VR enhances treatment adherence and motivates patients to continue their therapy.
  • Personalized Treatment: Virtual environments can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each patient.
  • Versatile Applications: VR is used to treat anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders), addictions, mood disorders, and even cognitive remediation.
The use of virtual reality in healthcare is not new! It has been studied and utilized for over 30 years in the medical and psychological fields. As early as the 1990s, researchers began exploring its potential for treating anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, numerous scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in addressing various psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive disorders.
Today, VR is widely integrated into therapeutic and medical practices, with clinically validated protocols. It is used in hospitals, clinics, and psychologists' offices worldwide to provide patients with innovative, effective, and safe treatments.
To use virtual reality, one must immerse themselves in a virtual environment. There are several ways to achieve this.
In the past, the CAVE system (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), a 3D setup consisting of multiple screen walls, was the primary method used. This system allowed users to be fully immersed in the virtual world, with their movements detected in real-time. However, this technology was expensive and not widely accessible.
Since around 2016, with the introduction of virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, VR has become much more accessible. These headsets immerse users in virtual reality through an enclosed screen that projects digital images. The user's head movements are tracked, enabling them to look around and interact with the environment as they would in the real world.
Today, VR headsets are wireless and standalone, providing maximum comfort and ease of use without requiring external sensors or cables.
A virtual environment is an immersive digital simulation created through virtual reality. It allows users to navigate in a 3D space that accurately replicates everyday situations or specific contexts.
In mental health, these environments are designed to help individuals gradually face certain situations, manage their emotions, or enhance cognitive skills. By interacting with these virtual spaces, patients can engage in meaningful experiences tailored to their needs.
You need to equip yourself with a virtual reality headset. Our software is compatible with Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S. 
You will then only need an internet connection. 
Numerous studies confirm that virtual reality is safe to use. However, some restrictions are in place to protect users from potential adverse effects.
For instance, individuals with epilepsy and pregnant women should avoid this type of therapy.
As with any immersive technology, prolonged use may cause visual fatigue or mild discomfort, particularly for those sensitive to motion sickness. Therefore, it is recommended to take regular breaks and adjust session durations according to individual needs.
Virtual environments are designed to be gradual and controlled, minimizing the risk of excessive anxiety. Most users quickly adapt to immersion and experience the benefits of this innovative approach from the first sessions.
Anxiety disorders and phobias can be effectively treated using virtual reality. Patients are gradually and progressively exposed to anxiety-inducing situations in various environments while remaining in a safe space. This process helps develop a sense of habituation, ultimately reducing or even eliminating anxiety over time.
Behavioral and substance addictions can also be addressed through virtual reality. By incorporating synthetic stimuli into the environments that trigger craving responses, patients struggling with addiction can work on their cravings to diminish the urge to consume.
Additionally, multiple environments—such as bars, casinos, and social settings—enable cognitive work on dysfunctional beliefs associated with specific temptation scenarios.
Regarding eating disorders, virtual reality software helps target key etiological factors, such as body dysmorphia, allocentric lock (a tendency to focus on others rather than oneself), and food cravings.
Currently, our TERV (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) solutions include multiple software programs designed to address critical psychiatric, psychological, and neuropsychological determinants such as relaxation, cognitive stimulation, behavioral activation, and social skills training.
Reminiscence therapy is also a major therapeutic tool in treating depression. By allowing patients to relive sensations linked to past pleasurable activities (such as sports, driving, or traveling), virtual reality stimulates hypoactive brain areas, enhancing therapeutic success. VR serves as an excellent mediator for reigniting engagement in enjoyable activities.
Moreover, cognitive stimulation for elderly individuals is another area where virtual reality proves beneficial. By leveraging technology to make stimulation activities more engaging and accessible, patients and nursing home residents can improve executive functions and memory through specially designed applications.
Today, virtual reality in mental health care is advancing rapidly. Researchers, clinicians, and developers continue to explore new therapeutic targets to offer innovative and effective treatment solutions in the near future.
VR can be used by all healthcare professionals assisting patients with anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, addictions, or other psychological challenges.
It is particularly beneficial for psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, specialized nurses, as well as psychomotor therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, sophrologists, and hypnotherapists. With a wide range of immersive environments, VR enhances therapeutic approaches and provides innovative tools to improve patient care.
Healthcare providers incorporating virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) expand their range of treatment options. VRET is a well-established therapeutic technique with scientific validation from cognitive-behavioral therapy research.
  • Professional Differentiation: Integrating VR into practice allows therapists to stand out from traditional treatment options.
  • Scientific Validation: VRET is backed by extensive research, reinforcing its credibility as an effective treatment method.
  • Improved Patient Engagement: The interactive nature of VR fosters greater patient involvement in therapy.
  • Time-Saving: VR provides direct access to various exposure environments without needing external logistics.

One of the considerable advantages of virtual reality is that it is effective on a wide spectrum of populations. Existing data from the literature on the subject shows us that it is entirely possible to expose a wide age group to virtual reality, with real therapeutic benefits.

The studies attest, in fact, to excellent feasibility and significant results; particularly in adults, in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders and mood disorders.

The results are identical for adolescents with a significant added value concerning therapeutic engagement where virtual reality promotes adolescents' interest in their therapy.

Among elderly subjects, study results encourage the use of virtual reality with the aim of working on cognitive stimulation, on behavioral disorders but also on anxiety.

One of the major advantages of virtual reality is its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of the population. Existing literature on the subject shows that virtual reality can be used with individuals of various age groups, providing significant therapeutic benefits.
Studies confirm excellent feasibility and significant results, particularly among adults in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.
The results are equally promising for adolescents, with a notable advantage in terms of therapeutic engagement, as virtual reality enhances their interest and participation in treatment.
For older adults, research supports the use of virtual reality to improve cognitive stimulation, behavioral disorders, and anxiety management.
However, people with epilepsy and pregnant individuals are not advised to undergo this type of therapy.
Yes, all our environments are grouped within a single application.
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