Mindfulness is the practice of noticing the flow of body sensations, thoughts and emotions present in any situation without being carried away by them. The curriculum known as mindfulness-based-stress-reduction underpins all the work we do at EVERMIND.
Evidence-based scientific studies indicate that the key benefits of mindfulness practice are:
- A lasting shift from habitual automatic reactivity to present-moment responsiveness
- Improved cognitive functions including sustained attention, memory and rational decision-making
- Improved positive emotions and well-being which boosts immunity to illness
- Insight into destructive thought patterns and emotions which can alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD and addictions
- Increased relaxation due to a decrease in stress hormones and shrinking in size of the brain’s stress centers
- A positive effect on physical ailments such as hypertension, heart disease and chronic pain
- A new relationship with the negative voice in your head including permission to ignore it
- Greater emotional intelligence – improved self-awareness and compassion is linked to better relationships with self and others
- Greater moral courage, less procrastination and perfectionism