“Paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience, moment to moment.” Jon Kabat-Zinn
“Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.” Greater Good Science Center, University of California, Berkeley
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS?
There is extensive research on the benefits of mindfulness and how it affects the brain. Some of the studies of the benefits of mindfulness for children demonstrate improvements in:
Attention and Learning Strengthens the ability to focus Strengthens self-control, impulse control, and self-discipline Promotes cognitive development and cognitive control
Social, Emotional and Behavioral Skills Helps with recognizing emotions, allowing a pause between stimulus and response, and ability to change potential response. Increases social and emotional awareness Increase confidence Improved behavior at school Reduced aggression Increases positive moods Improves social skills and peer acceptance Better empathy and perspective taking skills Resilience Relaxes body and mind, improves sleep Improves emotional regulation More optimism Stronger school self-concept Decreases in self-reported symptoms of depression Lowers anxiety and stress Reduces symptoms of post-traumatic stress