mindfulness

• mindfulness' main aim is to focus a person's attention to their present thoughts and environment, it was popularised by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979.
• self-regulation of attention through mindfulness and breathing:


  • sitting meditation is seen as most effective, as it removes an individual from their daily interactions, making it easier to focus.
  • guided meditation involves sitting in a comfortable position with a straight spine and focusing on breathing
  • they will be encouraged to pay attention to body sensations, thoughts and emotions.
• self-regulation of attention through mindfulness and breathing:


  • meditation helps people reprocess their initial experiences and helps them to accept that thoughts (and the emotions that follow) are impermanent - they come and go.
  • in this way, an individual learns not to react in an automatic way to their thoughts.
• gaining control of thoughts and orientation to the present:


  • mindfulness focuses on increasing emotional awareness by developing curiosity about where the mind wanders, and what is happening in the present.
  • mindfulness teaches us to focus on the present rather than going over old feelings or worrying about the future.
  • the aim is to see thoughts and feelings as passing moments in time rather than permanent characteristics as ourselves - the thoughts are not changed, but the relationship between a person and their thought is.
• MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction)


  • developed in the 1970's by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
  • participants are giving educational material, e.g. teaching about the physiology of stress alongside practicing mindfulness meditation and yoga.
  • they will also be given home practice assignments to complete.
  • the individual is able to practice these techniques in the way that suits them best, and are encouraged to incorporate them into everyday life.
• informal practice of mindfulness:


  • once learned, these principles can be practiced throughout our daily lives whilst eating, driving, walking or showering.
  • informal mindfulness requires the conscious focus on one particular task, whilst paying attention to your surroundings.
  • these informal practices can be incorporated into daily life to help break from normal thought processes.