What is mindfulness really?

What is mindfulness really?
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Mindfulness training, known as mindfulness, is especially recommended for people who cannot cope with negative emotions, thoughts or stress. Regular exercise has a positive effect on mood. What benefits can mindfulness training bring?

The term mindfulness comes from the English language, we translate it as “mindfulness” (from the word mindful – attentive), Sometimes you can also meet with the term “mindful presence”. The best-known definition of mindfulness was created by Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. According to him, mindfulness is a state of awareness resulting from intentionally and non-judgmentally directing attention to what we are experiencing in the present moment.

Mindfulness, then, would be consciously and intentionally directing one’s attention to what one is experiencing and experiencing in the moment. Mindfulness teaches us to focus on the here and now, without going back to the past or looking ahead to the future, and without thinking about what our emotions mean.

Goals of mindfulness training

Sometimes we over-analyze failures and setbacks, get caught up in procrastination, can’t get out of the past or worry about the future. We also often have low self-esteem and don’t feel confident. We are unable to focus on the present. Regular mindfulness training helps regain emotional balance, reduce nervous tension, manage stress and master the art of concentration and relaxation.

The goal of mindfulness is to develop skills that allow us to calm down in moments of nervousness, worry or overwhelm and discouragement. The systematic exercises are designed to teach us to enjoy the little things and appreciate life.

Health and therapeutic benefits of mindfulness

Mindfulness provides more health benefits than typical stress reduction techniques. In addition to improved physical well-being, we may also notice better functioning of the immune system, reduced feelings of fatigue and pain.

Mindfulness training is recommended for treating problems such as:

  • anxiety,
  • depression,
  • chronic stress,
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
  • sleep disorders,
  • eating disorders,
  • intestinal disorders: irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,
  • occupational burnout syndrome,
  • restless legs syndrome,
  • autoimmune skin diseases, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis,
  • fibromyalgia,
  • addictions.

Mindfulness can be practiced not only by adults, but also by children and teenagers. Mindfulness training for children combines elements of education and fun; it improves concentration and social skills.

Types of mindfulness training

The basic and also the most well-known mindfulness training is MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction). The MBSR program can be found in universities, meditation, training, counseling and personal development centers, as well as in some hospitals and other medical facilities.

The second type of mindfulness training is MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy). The MBCT program is considered an extension of MBSR. It helps prevent recurrence of depression. It can be used by people who have already had several episodes of depression.

main photo: pixabay.com/leninscape

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