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Mindfulness and meditation

To many, the word ‘meditation’ makes them think about hippies, nature and religion. These connotations are generalisations and not necessarily true, which is why I’m writing about meditation and mindfulness this week.

Meditation and mindfulness have been proven to have significant benefits to the mind and the mental health of many who suffer with stress, anxiety and depression. Moreover, mindfulness meditation has been proven to decrease the likelihood of mental illness relapses if practised by patients.

You may be thinking ‘what does this have to do with me?’, but that’s because you’ve not heard the full story.

At this crucial and stressful point in our lives (exam season), there can be persistent negative thoughts, worries and pressures building up until you feel as though you can’t cope. That’s how mindfulness can apply to everyone. If you’re in a stressful job, have a lot on at home or are mentally ill, mindfulness can really help you feel calm and at one with yourself and the world.

All of the negatives and worries are observed during the process and then accepted through a series of mindful techniques that can be practised anywhere: at school, home, walking or on the bus. It is a strategy for coping with whatever life throws at you. And that’s the beauty of mindfulness meditation: it is a universal coping strategy.

So, next time someone talks about meditating or helping themselves out a little, don’t think about them sitting cross-legged in a room shouting ‘om’ for an hour. While that can be a technique for some people, it is not the core principle of mindfulness.

If you want to read more about mindfulness, you can do so here.