Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness, Exactly?

Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. ... When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we're sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Everyone faces challenging situations and stressful events. Having the skills to manage difficult times can help us thrive. Because children are not born with these skills, they need to be taught. One especially good skill to help cope with challenges they face in their daily lives is mindfulness. Mindfulness can be thought of as a super-skill that’s made up of two small skills:

• • Awareness: noticing the little things right now (thoughts, feelings, and sensations)

  • Acceptance: maintaining this awareness with gentleness and kindness, rather than trying to change or judge the experience

• Mindfulness helps us pay attention to what’s going on right now, while also being kind to ourselves and those around them—even when it’s hard to do.

Mental Health Effects of Mindfulness

The effects of mindfulness for children and adolescents has a growing scientific literature with evidence demonstrating it can:

• Reduce stress

• Reduce emotional problems 

• Reduce behavior problems and aggression

• Reduce depression

• Improve happiness

• Increase self-regulation and attention abilities

• Increase calming and relaxation skills

• Improve cognitive performance

• Increase resilience

Sources: Zenner, Herrnleben-Kurz, & Walach, 2014; Sapthiang, Van Gordon, & Shonin, 2019 

For more information on the research and practice of mindfulness visit UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. 

Mindfulness is a mental skill and, like every skill, takes practice to improve. Setting aside a period of the day to sit down, be still, and practice is a helpful way to better this skill. One way to practice is through mindfulness meditations. Free guided mindfulness meditations can be found at the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center.

Additional Resources

Disclaimer: The links below are purely for educational and entertainment purposes and are not intended as psychological interventions or as a substitute for psychological treatment. If you are in need of psychological help you should seek the consultation of a licensed mental health professional.