Mindfulness is the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental, moment-to-moment awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. It is a core component in various therapeutic approaches (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, DBT).
Key Points:
- Benefits: Reduces stress, improves emotional regulation, enhances focus, and can mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Methods: Meditation, mindful breathing, body scans, and daily activities performed with full attention.
- Therapeutic Integration: Incorporated into evidence-based treatments like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to prevent relapse in depression.
- Accessible Practice: Can be practiced formally (guided meditation sessions) or informally (paying attention to the present while performing everyday tasks).
