How does mindfulness work?
It works by taking your focus to the present and away from other thoughts.
The way we think, and what we think about it, can affect the way we feel and behave. For example, if you think or care a lot about past or future difficult events, you may often feel sad or anxious.
It’s understandable that you want to stop thinking about difficult things, but trying to get rid of difficult thoughts can often make us think about them even more.
Thinking with a clear focus can be hard and takes practise but you’ll start to:
notice how thoughts come and go in your mind and you might learn that they don't have to define who you are, or your experience of the world, and that you can let them go
notice what your body tells you such as any tension or anxiety you may be feeling in your body, such as a quick heartbeat, tight muscles or shallow breathing
create a place between you and your thoughts where you can reflect on the situation and respond more cautiously
