Mindfulness means being fully present so that we know what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better.
When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience things that we may have been taking for granted in a new way. Mindfulness also allows us to become more aware of the stream of thoughts and feelings that we experience and to see how we can become entangled in that stream in ways that are not helpful. This lets us stand back from our thoughts and start to see their patterns.
Gradually, using Mindfulness, we can train ourselves to notice when our thoughts are taking over and realise that thoughts are simply 'mental events' that do not have to control us and are, instead, just temporary experiences.
Practicing Mindfulness regularly can help people to become more aware of their thoughts and emotions in a way that helps them notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier so that they can deal with things in a healthy, productive way.
