In today’s world, we are so busy; rushing from place to place, jumping from our emails to our social media feeds and back again

The end result may be that we experience higher levels of anxiety over what might happen and feelings of depression about past events; neither of which is good for our wellbeing.

Mindfulness can help us to break out of this unhelpful way of thinking and maybe find inner contentment with the way things are.

Mindfulness is also recommended by the NHS and National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) for preventing depression in people who have relapsing episodes.

The Mental Health Foundation say:

While research is still growing in the area of mindfulness, evidence has suggested the benefit of mindfulness to health and wellbeing, with
results showing positive effects on several aspects of whole-person health, including the mind, the brain, the body, and behaviour, as well as a person’s relationships with others.

Mindfulness has also shown to help with a number of conditions, including stress, anxiety, depression, addictive behaviours such as alcohol or substance misuse and gambling, and physical problems like hypertension, heart disease and chronic pain.

Mindfulness is being present in the moment, aware of your thoughts, feelings and sensations and being fully accepting of them, without judgement.

Mindful, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to connect and inspire people to explore mindfulness, gives the following guidance on mindfulness:

8 Things to Know About Mindfulness:

1. Mindfulness is not obscure or exotic. It’s familiar to us because it’s what we already do, how we already are. It takes many shapes and goes by many names.
2. Mindfulness is not a special added thing we do. We already have the capacity to be present, and it doesn’t require us to change who we are. But we can cultivate these innate qualities with simple practices that are scientifically demonstrated to benefit ourselves, our loved ones, our friends and neighbors, the people we work with, and the institutions and organizations we take part in
3. You don’t need to change. Solutions that ask us to change who we are or become something we’re not have failed us over and over again. Mindfulness recognizes and cultivates the best of who we are as human beings.
4. Mindfulness has the potential to become a transformative social phenomenon. Here’s why:
5. Anyone can do it. Mindfulness practice cultivates universal human qualities and does not require anyone to change their beliefs. Everyone can benefit and it’s easy to learn.
6. It’s a way of living.  Mindfulness is more than just a practice. It brings awareness and caring into everything we do—and it cuts down needless stress. Even a little makes our lives better.
7. It’s evidence-based. We don’t have to take mindfulness on faith. Both science and experience demonstrate its positive benefits for our health, happiness, work, and relationships.
8. It sparks innovation. As we deal with our world’s increasing complexity and uncertainty, mindfulness can lead us to effective, resilient, low-cost responses to seemingly intransigent problems.