ABSTRACT
Mindfulness has roots in Buddhism although there is a tradition of contemplation within most religions, including Christianity. There have been many evaluations carried out on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and variations including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), as well as MBSR-informed programmes offered within education such as the Mindfulness in Schools Programme (MiSP). Mindfulness offers a set of techniques to train the mind, but also includes paying attention to the body and the world around us, with compassion and curiosity. Practising mindfulness also appears to decrease grey-matter density in the amygdala, known to play an important role in anxiety and stress. Much of the research underlines how practising mindfulness increases resilience and the ability to deal with stress and anxiety, countering negative affective processes implicated in depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Around one in five children and adolescents experience problems severe enough to warrant the intervention of mental health services.
