What Is Mindfulness Training?

As the founder of Ecole Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Dr. Hind Louali operates a French school in Austin, Texas. Outside of work, Dr. Hind Louali is interested in mindfulness training, a type of meditation that grants many benefits for practitioners.

Although mindfulness training can take many forms, each one aims to induce relaxation in the practitioner. This occurs by paying close attention to the sensations, thoughts, and feelings experienced during your chosen mindfulness exercise. During structured mindfulness exercises, you focus on each part of your body and its associated sensations and emotions logically. During unstructured exercises, you focus on your breathing, with your eyes closed, for any amount of time you wish.

Mindfulness exercises produce benefits over extended periods of time, of at least six months. Mindfulness can help people manage the symptoms of their physical and mental health problems. It helps reduce the occurrence and severity of anxiety or depression. Mindfulness also produces physical benefits, like heightened attention and improved sleep quality.