Mindfulness

In recent years, the concept of mindfulness has figured prominently in the development of innovative psychological interventions for physical and mental health. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce recurrence of depression, stress, chronic pain, anxiety, and disordered eating, as well as to improve concentration and productivity. Mindfulness practices encourage participants to recognize automatic thought and behavior patterns and in doing so permit a more choiceful manner of responding to, and exploring, experience. The opportunity to relate to symptoms in this way may lead to significant shifts in both behavioral and physiological measures, ultimately leading to health improvements.