What is Mindfulness
The founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programme, Jon Kabat-Zinn, defines mindfulness as "paying attention in a particular way—on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment".
Mindfulness is an approach to living that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their religion or cultural background. In essence being mindful can help you to achieve greater awareness of yourself and your environment, and thereby cultivate clarity of thought, insight and understanding. This is achieved by bringing your mind to the present moment, which sounds simple, but most of us have lost this ability through years of “doing” rather than “being”.
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What is MBSR
MBSR is an eight-week secular (non-religious) programme devised by Jon Kabat-Zinn's Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre which has been internationally approved by the medical community. Its popularity and effectiveness has recently led to the Mental Health Foundation in the UK launching a campaign to increase access to and awareness of, mindfulness-based courses (www.bemindful.co.uk).
Anyone who wishes to learn to take better care of themselves and is prepared to engage in the maintenance of their health and general well-being will benefit from engaging in an MBSR course.
Research has shown, however, that MBSR courses are of particular help to people suffering from stress, anxiety, panic states, depression, hypertension, insomnia, chronic illness and pain. More specifically the evidence base has also revealed it to be particularly effective in the following conditions: fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, cancer and health-care-provider self-care.
