There is a growing amount of evidence showing the benefits of mindfulness. Mindfulness is a form of mediation that asks you to pay attention to what happening in the present moment. To actively try and stop the mind from wandering all over the place. Humans beings have the gift of being able to contemplate WHAT IS NOT happening around them and building a scenario of perceived events around something that may or may not happen.
5 Benefits of Mindfulness
With that in mind, below is a list (there are many more) of the reported benefits of mindfulness:
Anxiety and stress reduction: reduces the amount of stress hormones produced. Can provide relief from depression.
Improved immune response
Emotional regulation to support equanimity
The gift of self-awareness and choice in your life
Ability to focus for longer
More self-compassion and self-acceptance and empathy
Easy Mindfulness Practice
Sit comfortably in your favourite chair and set the timer for 5 minutes. You can close your eyes if that suits you best or keep them open.
Until you next hear the timer turn your attention to your feet on the floor, hips in the chair, back on the back of the seat. you might tune into some sounds from around your room. Maybe the sensation of your breath in and out. Nothing more, nothing less. When your mind wanders off (it will) bring it back - feeling, hearing, breathing.