Over the past decade, mindfulness has become a buzzword in psychology circles. But what does it actually mean? In brief, to be mindful is to notice what is going on in the present. It is a simple idea but can have profound effects. Research shows that mindfulness practices reduce stress by giving an individual the chance to detach from their unhelpful thoughts. By simply deciding to acknowledge unpleasant feelings and thoughts rather than fighting them, we can immediately improve our mood.
