What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a method of mental training, using meditation to maintain an awareness of our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations and our surrounding environment. It is used to treat physical and mental health conditions in schools, prisons, hospitals, convalescent homes, etc. and it has been embraced by nurses, doctors, teachers, psychologists, counsellors, dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists.
The practise of mindfulness encourages us to accept our thoughts and feelings without judging them. When we practise mindfulness we are very much in the present moment.
While mindfulness has its roots in Buddhism, it was the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School with his (MSBR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme that led the Western world to explore its benefits. Much research has been done into the benefits of mindfulness that have highlighted the physical and mental health benefits of daily practise.
Some patients find mindfulness as good as taking anti-depressants and used prophylactically it can act as a relapse preventer. Students say that they find it helps reduces exam stress, improves their learning and memory skills. It also helps in having more empathy and compassion. Couples who practise mindfulness report an enhancement in their relationships.
Many claim that it improves their quality of life and ability to cope with day-to-day stresses, controlling anger and hostility. The world is full of angry people and the ‘loving kindness’ meditation involves been compassionate to those around us. It can be practised in three stages by being compassionate to –
- Someone close to you
- An acquaintance
- Someone you find gives you a hard time.
Eventually it becomes your modus operandi and you find less volatility in your moods and you become a lot less angry.
Used in conjunction with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), mindfulness can be very effective in the treatment of conditions such as depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, chronic pain and stress. Mindfulness training is also useful for expectant parents to help them make a good transition to parenthood. Successes have also been reported in the treatment of eating disorders, pain management and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Mindfulness can be practised anywhere, by bringing mindfulness awareness to whatever you are doing, whether you are sitting on a bus or a train, eating, or even going for a walk. The MSBR suggests 40 minutes a day, but benefits can be achieved from just 10 minutes a day.
Mindfulness is not about feeling success or failure. Whether you feel positive or negative thoughts, each time you practise mindfulness you learn something valuable about how your mind works.
Mindfulness helps you to regain control in your life. It enables you to catch negative thought patterns before they tip you into a downward negative spiral. You are less likely to see your doctor as often and research has shown that practising mindfulness will lead to fewer days in hospitals. This practise will allow you to assess your goals and find the path in life that you will realise your deepest goals and personal values.