Applied Relaxation & Applied Mindfulness (ARAM): A Practical and Engaging Approach for Mind-Body Regulation Training in Medical Education

Mind-body self-regulation techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, the Relaxation Response, applied relaxation, and meditation, have been employed for the treatment of stress and mental health disorders and for moderating the causes and complications of acute and chronic medical illnesses for many years. More recently, interest has grown in the usefulness of forms of self-regulation training for mitigating the stresses of medical practice along with enhancement of professional performance. Medical schools have begun to include mindfulness training in their required curricula and many make the training available through electives or student health services. In this article, we describe a practical approach to self-regulation training that is a combination of applied relaxation and applied mindfulness (ARAM) designed to be cogent to third-year medical students. Approximately 150 students have practiced this approach and overall feedback has been positive.