Taming Wandering Minds

A study by UM researchers shows a form of mental training called mindfulness training can improve focus and learning. By Marie Guma-Diaz and.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) - UM News CORAL GABLES, Fla. (January 14, 2014) — Few situations present as much distraction and time pressure as the college experience. In this environment, attention can be elusive and difficult to sustain even when it is attained. This lack of concentration interferes with learning and is associated with stress, which tends to increase during the academic term. Now, a form of mental training called mindfulness training, specifically designed for undergraduate students, shows promise as a tool to train attention and improve learning during the academic semester, according to a new study by a team of University of Miami researchers. The study is the first to examine the incidence of mind wandering and the impact of mindfulness training, at different time points in the academic calendar.