These days most people know someone who in an effort to destress has tried some form of meditation, a popular form being mindfulness. But does it actually work?
So far, it seems, the jury is still out. But a new study, looking specifically at mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), has raised hope for how this therapy might be used to help those suffering from depression.
The biggest review of the practice, by researchers at Oxford University, found that MBCT (which claims to combine ancient wisdom with 21st-century science) can help to combat depression as effectively as drugs.
Through meditation techniques, patients are encouraged to accept their negative thoughts and feelings without allowing them to alter their emotional state or send them into a spiral of despair.
We want to hear from you if you have tried this technique, or other forms of mindfulness, to help treat mental health problems or improve your wellbeing. Share your experiences below.
