Mindfulness practice has been a part of many religious and spiritual traditions for many centuries. It is essentially about paying attention to the present in a non-judgmental way. As coined by Kabat-Zinn (2003) it is “The awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment”.
In the field of psychology, Mindfulness practice has become recognised as effective in the management of stress, for coping with difficult thoughts and feelings, and for self-soothing. Studies have indicated Mindfulness skills to be effective in reducing the likelihood of having a major depressive episode (Teasdale, J.D., Segal, Z.V., Williams, J.M.G., Ridgeway, V.A., Soulsby, J.M., & Lau, M.A., 2000 in McKay, M., Wood, J.C. and Brantley, J., 2007), lessening symptoms of anxiety (Kabat-Zinn, J., Massion, M.D., Kristeller, J.L., Peterson, L.G., Fletcher, K.E., Pbert, L., et al., 1992 in McKay, et al. 2007), reducing chronic pain (Kabat-Zinn, J., Lipworth, L., Burney, R., & Sellers, W., 1987 in McKay, et al. 2007), increasing distress tolerance in difficult situations, and assisting relaxation and stress reduction (McKay, et al. (2007).
Mindfulness is powerful in that it can enhance resilience both emotionally and psychologically, and increase life satisfaction. It is useful because we can use it to influence our behaviour and improve our quality of life (Harris, R., 2008).
There are many benefits of Mindfulness. It helps you to;
. connect with the here and now
. connect with yourself and the environment around you
. learn that everything changes including your feelings and thoughts
. become more emotionally balanced
. become aware of the things you are avoiding
. increase self-awareness
. be less upset and reactive to unpleasant experience
. learn to separate your thoughts from your self
. live in the world rather than in your thoughts
. experience peacefulness and calm
. learn to be self accepting
Mindfulness practice assists with;
. concentration and focus
. the reduction of stress by reducing the impact of difficult thoughts and feelings
. improvement of relationships with the self and other
. letting go of self-defeating thoughts and process (Harris, R. 2008)
References
Harris, R. (2008). The happiness trap. Stop struggling, start living.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10 (2), 144-156.
McKay, M., Wood, J.C., & Brantley, J. (2007). The dialectical behaviour therapy skills workbook. Oakland CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.