WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

Jon Kabat-Zin, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) defines mindfulness as " paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”

Through mindfulness training we learn to become more aware in the moment and accept things as they are. 

This allows us to respond to life in a calm and creative manner, rather than reacting in an automatic or habitual way. 

Mindfulness can make it possible to have a rich and fulfilling life, even when experiencing difficult circumstances. 

*Reduce stress and anxiety 

*Manage physical and emotional pain 

*Live in the present moment 

*Respond rather than react to life 

*Accept yourself and your life

*Increase self awareness

*Be kind to yourself

*Experience more pleasure every day 

*Feel connection to others 

And that's just a few of the benefits!

Studies have found mindfulness meditation to benefit a huge variety of health conditions, for example:

• Clinical trials have shown that mindfulness meditation can be as effective as prescription painkillers, and can enhance the body’s natural healing systems.

• Improving mood and quality of life in chronic pain conditions, for example reducing levels of depression and anxiety.

• Reducing physical pain and the emotional reaction to it, allowing individuals to change their relationship with their condition by living in harmony with their pain rather than trying to fight it.

• Improving social functioning by strengthening relationships, improving sleep quality and decreasing the level of interference that pain has on daily activities

• Re-establishing a sense of control by learning coping mechanisms and feeling empowered in knowing that individuals have a choice in response to pain and discomfort.

To read more about quantitive and qualitative research into mindfulness click here (external link).