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Mindfulness - why does it matter...

If you want to be more present with your family, more creative or productive in your work or just learn how to enjoy the day-to-day more, then mindfulness training is for you. 


Mindfulness is having your mind full of what you are doing in the present moment rather than filled with thought. It is a way of being that brings life to life because rather than being lost in the daydream of our thoughts we have a more direct experience of what is is to truly be alive.


Mindfulness is for everyone.


Whether we just want a bit of peace from a busy mind, reduce stress, improve our ability to focus, or to create a bigger shift in the way we feel, mindfulness training has something to offer. 


Scroll down to find out about the science behind mindfulness and how it might be useful for you...

The science behind mindfulness

Mindfulness is good for us - don't just take my word for it...

  

In recent year’s huge numbers of scientific studies have taken place into the efficacy of the practice of Mindfulness in helping reduce the effects of stress and anxiety and improve wellbeing. Some of these claims are so incredible they may seem too good to believe so I have provide links to the scientific studies that back them up. You can download the pdf at the bottom of this page for full references (exciting stuff if you like a bit of science!).
 

Here are a few of the main proven benefits of mindfulness meditation:
 

  • Anxiety, stress, depression, exhaustion and irritability all decrease with regular sessions of mindfulness meditation.   1
     
  • Regular meditators are happier and more contented, while being far less likely to suffer from psychological distress. 2


  • Mindfulness is at least as good as drugs or counselling for the treatment of clinical-level depression. 3
     

Training with Jon Kabat Zinn
Training with Jon Kabat Zinn

  • Mindfulness reduces addictive and self-destructive behaviour. These include the abuse of illegal and prescription drugs and excessive alcohol intake. 


  • Mindfulness dramatically reduces the experience of pain intensity and the emotional reaction to it. 5 


  • Mindfulness improves working memory, creativity, attention span and reaction speeds. It also enhances mental and physical stamina and resilience. 6 Memory improves, reaction times become faster and mental and physical stamina increase


  •  Meditation enhances brain function. It increases grey matter in areas associated with self-awareness, empathy, self-control and attention.13 It soothes the parts of the brain that produce stress hormones (14) and builds those areas that lift mood and promote learning. 15 It even reduces some of the thinning of certain areas of the brain that naturally occurs with ageing.(16)  ·        

  • Meditation improves the immune system. Regular meditators are admitted to hospital far less often for cancer, heart disease and numerous infectious diseases.17


  • Mindfulness may reduce ageing at the cellular level by promoting chromosomal health and resilience.18  ·       


  • Meditation and mindfulness improve control of blood sugar in type II diabetes.19  ·       


  • Meditation improves heart and circulatory health by reducing blood pressure and lowering the risk of hypertension. 


  • Mindfulness reduces the risks of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease and lowers its severity should it arise.20 

READY TO START YOUR MINDFULNESS JOURNEY?

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

Why does Mindfulness Matter? Check out my take in this brief video...