An associate professor of psychology at MTSU offered suggestions for slowing down your frantic thoughts in favor of becoming more mindful of the moment on a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Dr. Cameron Gordon

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Cameron Gordon of MTSU’s Department of Psychology, first aired Feb. 5 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. You can listen to their conversation above.

Gordon, who also is a practicing psychologist with Southeast Psych in Brentwood, Tennessee, instructs people on how to engage in both formal and informal mindfulness meditation practices.

Describing “mindfulness” as “an intentional awareness of the present moment” with curiosity as a component, Gordon leads his clients in meditation exercises designed to help them focus on the immediate in a world full of multitasking and future planning.

Gordon said there has been an explosion of data on the subject in the scientific community in the last 20 years.

“In our physical health, it’s been applied successfully to assisting with treatments for everything from heart disease and epilepsy to cancer and diabetes,” Gordon said.

“In our mental health, it’s been applied to … difficulties managing your emotions, when your moods really swing up and down, as well as substance abuse, depression, all sorts of things.”

Gordon cautioned that he does not promote mindfulness and meditation as cures for physical diseases, but they have been proven to help people who are ill cope with the stress of their illnesses.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.