Mindfulness is the art and skill of paying special attention to the present moment. Modern-day pioneer of mindfulness and founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Jon Kabat-Zinn, defines mindfulness as:
“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally. It’s about knowing what is on your mind.”
While included practices of meditation, yoga and other deep-breathing exercises have been around for years, now there is a growing amount of scientific research backing the significant health claims made by practitioners and mental health advocates. Mindfulness is proven to reduce blood pressure, improve focus, reduce pain, and reduce symptoms of depression.