Frequently Asked Questions About Meditation

A senior data scientist at Aura Health, Brian Richmond specializes in applying data-driven models to generate personalized recommendations in meditation and mindfulness applications. Brian Richmond’s work in data science started in 2017 and he has become a dedicated practitioner and expert in the field.

Meditation has many benefits and it’s growing in popularity, but many people don’t really know where to start with meditation. Here are some questions that come up often.

Q: When and where should I meditate?

A: Most experts recommend meditating first thing in the morning in a quiet place with no distractions. Short, 3-minute meditation breaks at work can greatly improve focus and productivity, and meditation can really help people settle their minds at night so they can sleep better. However, any time is fine.

Q: Do I have to remain seated?

A: A seated or lying position is fine. If someone is meditating for a purpose other than sleep, lying down could make that challenging.

Q: How do I start meditating?

A: There are a number of resources that describe as many methods and approaches, but a simple and straightforward way to start is with a meditation app such as Aura.

The Health Benefits of Gratitude Journaling

Data scientist Brian Richmond has advanced the field of people analytics through his role at WeWork and his involvement with people analytic groups in the Bay Area and New York. In 2018, Brian Richmond accepted a position as senior data scientist for the startup Aura Health. Aura offers a wellness-focused app that offers guided meditations, life coaching recordings, and a gratitude journal.

The act of writing down what one is thankful for has become popularized in the health and wellness industry, due in large part to its multitude of physical and mental health benefits. Feeling gratitude releases many of the same neurotransmitters as happiness, such as dopamine and serotonin. This can improve mood and overall well-being.

In a study published by the Journal of Positive Psychology, adolescents who kept a gratitude journal were more likely to exhibit altruistic behavior. Other studies have linked gratitude journaling to lower stress levels, a more positive outlook, and healthier relationships. Establishing a daily gratitude journaling routine can also decrease depression and anxiety symptoms.

Job Burnout Officially Recognized as a Health Issue

 

Brian Richmond

Former WeWork data scientist Brian Richmond founded the data science team at the health tech startup Aura Health. In this role, Brian Richmond manages the data infrastructure of the Aura Health app, which offers meditation, music, and life coaching sessions to reduce work-related stress.

The latest version of The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases, a publication that standardizes medical conditions and other health issues, lists burnout as a common reason for seeking medical services. WHO defines the phenomenon as a syndrome that arises from chronic and poorly managed workplace stress.

Symptoms of occupational burnout include a severe lack of energy, strong negative feelings about one’s work or workplace, and reduced productivity. The Mayo Clinic also cites substance abuse, high blood pressure, and insomnia as side effects.

A 2018 poll found that nearly 70 percent of American workers have felt burned out at some point. To counter the effects of burnout, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends achieving a better work-life balance and developing a more positive attitude toward workplace challenges.

Comparing the Benefits of Short and Long Meditation Sessions

Brian Richmond

Data scientist Brian Richmond  has improved analytics and product design in his senior roles at WeWork and Aura Health. Brian Richmond began working with Aura Health, the makers of a meditation and wellness app, in 2018.

When people first begin a meditation practice, they often find they can stay focused only for short intervals. Meditations sessions that last up to 30 minutes can change the structure of the amygdala, a brain region that triggers the fight or flight response. Short meditation sessions also provide a short-term boost to working memory and concentration. Longer sessions are associated with more profound changes, including lowered cortisol levels, reduced mind-wandering, and a strengthened immune response.

The brain structure of highly-advanced meditators displays significant alterations, leading to a less intensive response to painful stimuli and featuring a smaller nucleus accumbens, which is associated with addictive behaviors and cravings. Novices can strengthen their ability to sit in longer meditation sessions by slowly lengthening the periods of meditation, for instance, by adding just a few minutes each month.