Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was introduced in 1979 by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a scientist at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre. He had been practicing meditation and wanted to offer its benefits in an accessible way to patients with chronic pain or conditions, who had come to the end of the road of conventional treatment. He believed that by learning to stay present with their situation, in an accepting and kind way, this might alleviate their suffering. The Center for Mindfulness was set up at the university, and Kabat-Zinn and his colleagues developed a structured 8-week programme for groups of patients, with training in mindfulness exercises. This was called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, since most people are familiar with stress in their lives and benefit from reducing it.
By now the MBSR programme has been taught to thousands of people in medical centres all over the world, as well as being used in other settings such as mindfulness at work and in schools. The efficacy of MBSR has been tested in many rigorous scientific studies, and found to be beneficial for both physical and psychological health and wellbeing. These studies include MBSR for patients with chronic pain, multiple scleroris, cancer, psoriasis, and many more.
Everyday Mindfulness courses are either explicit MBSR and/or MBCT programs, or have their foundations in these applications.
By now the MBSR programme has been taught to thousands of people in medical centres all over the world, as well as being used in other settings such as mindfulness at work and in schools. The efficacy of MBSR has been tested in many rigorous scientific studies, and found to be beneficial for both physical and psychological health and wellbeing. These studies include MBSR for patients with chronic pain, multiple scleroris, cancer, psoriasis, and many more.
Everyday Mindfulness courses are either explicit MBSR and/or MBCT programs, or have their foundations in these applications.