We now know that the damage caused by chronic (long-term) fear and stress includes a whole host of physical problems including an increased risk of a heart attack, cancer, stroke, weight gain, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome as well as digestive and sleep problems, to name just a few.

Long-term stress is also known to induce or exacerbate mental health conditions including depression and anxiety-related disorders.  In response, health care professionals are increasingly recommending mindfulness practice to help combat stress, depression, and anxiety.

Mindfulness is a form of attention training which helps us tap into our inner calmness and focus and is usually taught in group settings over 8-weekly sessions. These 8-week courses include training in and practicing a series of mindfulness techniques. Some are formal meditation practices like the body scan, mindfulness of breath, mindful eating and mindful movement and some are informal practices such as learning to apply mindfulness to everyday activities like showering or brushing your teeth.

Many hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have shown that practicing mindfulness, even for just a few weeks can bring about a variety of physical, psychological and social benefits including: