Mindfulness, health and wellbeing

Pages: 266-269
Surender Kumar (Independent Scholar, Psychology, Charkhi Dadri, Haryana)

Coping with psychological problems is a harrowing challenge for today’s generation. Programs and techniques that do exist to improve the psychological well-being and health status are still in infancy. One approach to have emerged in psychology relatively recently with promising initial results is mindfulness meditation, a practice involving the non-judgemental observation of what is occurring in the present moment. The present study is focused on the relationships between mindfulness and psychological problems (perceived stress, depression, self-esteem, positive and negative affect, anger and hostility). Many philosophical, spiritual, and psychological traditions emphasize the importance of the quality of consciousness for the maintenance and enhancement of well-being (Wilber, 2000). One attribute of consciousness that has been much-discussed in relation to well-being is mindfulness. The present paper reviews how mindfulness helps in coping with psychological problems and everyday health and wellbeing.