What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness involves a series of attention-training practices and cognitive strategies that can help you unhook from unproductive thought patterns and behaviours. Derived from Buddhist mindfulness meditation and other contemplative traditions, Mindfulness attempts to actively cultivate conscious attention and awareness to bring people into the present state. Mindfulness is about being here now, whilst learning to worry less and encouraging people not to dwell on the past. Although effort is required to master the techniques of mindfulness, with the right guidance people can experience numerous health benefits.
What are the benefits of Mindfulness?
Evidence based studies suggest that Mindfulness reduces stress, anxiety and depression and increases resilience. It also enhances cognitive performance, overall welling and work and study performance. Employing a mindful state can carry across many aspects of our everyday life – becoming consciously aware of our diets, our changes in mood (and the triggers that cause it), applying mindfulness during work or home tasks in order to complete them and employing a mindful approach in our everyday relationships.