What is mindfulness?
Quick Answer
Mindfulness means paying full attention to the present moment, on purpose and without judgment. It is often practised through meditation.
The Full Story
Mindfulness has roots in Buddhist meditation, where it translates the Pali word sati, meaning awareness. Molecular biologist Jon Kabat-Zinn brought it into Western medicine in 1979 when he created the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Practices include focusing on the breath, scanning the body for sensations and noticing thoughts without reacting to them. Research links regular practice to lower stress and better focus, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is recommended in the UK to help prevent depression from returning. Apps and workplace programmes have since brought mindfulness to millions of people.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"What Mindfulness Does to Your Brain"