According to recent studies by Dr. Chelom Leavitt, mindfulness may be the key to strengthening and enriching relationships and marriages.
Mindfulness – as defined in the study “A couples’ relationship education intervention examining sexual mindfulness and trait mindfulness” – is the practice that includes increased awareness, self-acceptance, and non-judgmental views toward oneself and others. This can be applied to relationships to strengthen marital satisfaction.
Often, in sexual experiences, individuals are unable to maintain normal levels of mindfulness due to factors such as self-consciousness and anxiety. By creating a more present and mindful atmosphere, couples could become more intimate and connected.
“Being mindful changes so much of our environment. We don’t get as caught up in the depression and anxiety, and all sorts of things that are plaguing us,” Leavitt said about the impacts of mindfulness.
Leavitt and her colleagues measured the impact sexual mindfulness had on romantic relationships by comparing couples who practiced sexual mindfulness to those who did not.
Both groups in the study were taught about basic mindfulness, communication, and effective problem-solving. However, the treatment group received extra training on sexual mindfulness and how to practice it.
While both groups within the study improved, the treatment group that was given more extensive sexual mindfulness training showed greater outcomes in both relationships and sexual experiences.
Mindfulness in the realm of sexual relationships is a new territory that has the power to enhance multiple aspects of life. In another study, Leavitt found that social comparison is harmful to an individual’s sense of self, and affects satisfaction in relationships.
By practicing mindfulness, the effects of social comparison can be limited, ensuring relationship security. Not only is mindfulness the cornerstone of romantic relationships, but it also contributes to our happiness and health.
Leavitt advises that students should “step back and be way more intentional about how we approach problems and relationships in our lives.” By slowing down, we can create more purpose in how we respond to situations.
In her feature on the Y Health podcast, Leavitt states that actually practicing mindfulness within these experiences “is a little bit trickier” than it sounds. However, by putting the time and effort into making it a priority in life, mindfulness can become the key to strengthening relationships.
Now, Leavitt is continuing her research to expand on the effects of mindfulness in different fields, such as loneliness. Her findings so far indicate that people who are more mindful are less lonely.
To hear more about Dr. Leavitt’s perspective on the impact mindfulness has on relationships, listen here: Healthy Sexuality with Dr. Chelom Leavitt
