Mindfulness is a mind-body approach to well-being that can help you change the way you think about experiences and reduce stress and anxiety.
Many people find it hard to cope with the pressures of modern living. Every day, a quarter of a million people miss work because of stress, with 75 per cent of all illnesses thought to be stress-related. And when times are hard, It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing and yoga. It helps us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, we’re better able to manage them.
Practising mindfulness can give people more insight into their emotions, boost their attention and concentration and improve relationships. It’s proven to help with stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behaviours, and can even have a positive effect on physical problems like hypertension, heart disease and chronic pain.
Mindfulness can also be beneficial for employers: there is evidence that the use of mindfulness in the workplace can improve productivity and decrease sickness and absence. People who have completed the Mental Health Foundation Be Mindful course experience an average reduction in anxiety levels of 47%. Their depression scores were reduced by an average of 48%, and stress was reduced by an average of 34%.
A highly significant research study published by the University of Oxford in November 2013 examined the effectiveness of the course for 273 participants and showed that they enjoy:
- a 58% reduction in anxiety levels
- a 57% reduction in depression
- a 40% reduction in stress
The Be Mindful online course has been show to be a simple, effective, accessible and affordable way for people to learn mindfulness in their own home and at their own pace (approximately 4 weeks).
The results can be life-changing as it provides a sustainable way of managing depression, anxiety and stress. Be Mindful Online is available on a self-pay basis (£60), as well as corporate-based and in partnership with healthcare providers. The course teaches all the elements of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Developed by two mindfulness experts, Ed Halliwell and Tessa Watt, Be Mindful is run by Wellmind Media in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, a UK charity for everyone’s mental health.