'There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.' - Hamlet, Act 11
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is being aware of or bringing attention to this moment in time, deliberately and without judging the experience. So, when we go for a mindful walk we really notice every little detail and all we encounter - trees, cars, flowers growing out of small cracks, or a cat crossing the road - rather than creating to-do lists.
By recommending with these simple moments in life, by truly living in the moment, it is possible to rediscover a sense of peace and enjoyment. We may, at least sometimes, feel once again truly enchanted with life.
As a form of therapy, mindfulness has recently been in the news a great deal. It is recommended by the Department of Health and also in the guidelines set down by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), and many see it as a cheap, effective and 'doable' intervention for our stress-filled lives, as much as a skill that can prevent us from actually breaking down or becoming ill if we incorporate it into our daily lives.
More than 10,000 published research papers are available on mindfulness-based therapies, should you want to check out the subject in depth, and there are many online videos you can also watch. The application of mindfulness covers a range of situations, such in parenting training, the treatment of mental health, in schools and as part of well-being therapies. It is even used in treating the immune system, with some positive outcomes for patients with HIV, ME (chronic fatigue syndrome), and MS.
Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness
People who regularly implement mindfulness strategies may find lasting physical and psychological benefits, such as:
- Increased experience of calm and relaxation
- Higher levels of energy and enthusiasm for living
- Increased self-confidence and self-acceptance
- Less danger of experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, addiction, or low immune efficiency
- More self-compassion and compassion for others and our planet.
YOU ARE READING
The Art of Mindfulness
Non-FictionMindfulness is the easy way to gently let go of stress and be in the moment. It has fast become the slow way to manage the modern work - without chanting mantras or finding hours of special time to meditate. Bring these simple 5- and 10-minute pract...
