Mindfulness is the act of bringing your awareness to whatever you're experiencing in the present moment. A common definition of mindfulness used in counselling and therapy is: The awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to things as they are.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or depression, mindfulness-based therapy offers effective ways to help. By focusing on the present moment, mindfulness helps you reduce worrying and slow down your mind and racing thoughts, allowing you to relax, and focus on things you can do in the present rather than worrying about things outside of your control.
Mindful Self-Compassion combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. Mindfulness is the first step in emotional healing—being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult thoughts and feelings (such as inadequacy, sadness, anger, confusion) with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to these difficult thoughts and feelings with kindness, sympathy and understanding so that we soothe and comfort ourselves when we're hurting. Being both mindful and compassionate leads to greater ease and well-being in our daily lives. Mindful Self-Compassion can be learned by anyone. It’s the practice of repeatedly evoking good will toward ourselves especially when we’re suffering—cultivating the same desire that all living beings have to live happily and free from suffering.