Mindfulness has become a familiar term, but what does it really mean and does it have a place in our schools? Amanda Bailey discusses how mindfulness can help children in particular to grow and develop

Mindfulness stems from Buddhist philosophy, with its roots in psychology, as a way of understanding and relieving the causes of human suffering. The term mindfulness refers to the ability to direct the attention to the experience as it unfolds, with curiosity and kindness. Rather than the constant shuttling of our mind, worrying about the past or planning for the future, mindfulness trains us to respond skilfully to what is happening now.

Jon Kabat-Zinn introduced secular mindfulness in the 1970s at the medical centre of the University of Massachusetts to suit a western context and for people with chronic health conditions. 

In the past five years, interest in mindfulness has really taken off, with an emerging evidence base of potential applications on physical and mental health conditions such as cancer, recurrent depression and anxiety or stress as well as supporting wellbeing and flourishing. So what are the benefits?

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