What is Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a simple yet very effective way of training our attention to focus more on the present moment,
becoming more aware of thoughts, emotions and sensations knowing what is happening
when it is happening in a non-judgemental way.
Mindfulness is experiential in nature and requires us to practice it rather than think about it too much.
Why Practice Mindfulness
Academic research into mindfulness has gained significant momentum over the last 30 years in the fields of neuroscience, psychology and physical medicine, identifying wide ranging benefits particularly in 8 week structured mindfulness courses.
Key research findings on the benefits of mindfulness practice are:
✾ It can help to reduce stress, anxiety and rumination
✾ It can enable us to cope better with mental and physical health conditions
✾ It can help to increase empathy and self-compassion
✾ It can reduce emotional distress and improve quality of life
✾ It can promote healthy eating and sleeping
✾ It can influence the brain and immune system in positive ways
What is the evidence
The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1609875/
Kabat-Zinn J., et al. (1992)
American Journal of Psychiatry. 1992 Jul;149(7):936-43.
Meditation Promotes Insightful Problem-Solving by Keeping People in a Mindful and Alert Conscious State
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22038009/
Ren J., et al. (2011)
Science China Life Sciences. 2011 Oct;54(10):961-965.
Mindfulness Training Reduces Stress At Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6433409/
Chin B., et al. (2019)
Mindfulness.2019 Apr;10(4): 627–638.
Alterations in Brain and Immune function produced by Mindfulness Meditation
Davidson R., et al (2003)
Psychomatic Medicine. 2003 Jul; 65 (4) 564 - 570
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction as a Stress Management Intervention for Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2156587214543143
Manoj S. and Rush S. (2014)
Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine. 2014 Jul (22)
