Mindfulness. An invaluable approach for enhancing physical and mental health.
In psychotherapy, mindfulness refers to the crucial ability to regulate attention and focus on the present moment while maintaining an accepting attitude. It’s a skill that everyone possesses, but it can be improved through deliberate practice. Although distractions like daydreaming, preoccupation, or self-criticism may pose a challenge, practicing mindfulness is still achievable.
Several studies have confirmed the effectiveness of mindfulness in treating mental health issues, including severe problems like:
- depression,
- anxiety disorders,
- trauma,
- post-traumatic disorder
Mindfulness also helps manage chronic pain and reduces symptom intensity in patients with:
- fibromyalgia,
- irritable bowel syndrome,
- psoriasis,
- and breast cancer survivors.
According to recent meta-analyses, mindfulness is equally effective as pharmacotherapy and cognitive therapies for treating anxiety and depression.