Abstract
Mindfulness has transdiagnostic applicability, but little is known about how people first begin to practice mindfulness and what sustains practice in the long term. The aim of the present research was to explore the experiences of a large sample of people practicing mindfulness, including difficulties with practice and associations between formal and informal mindfulness practice and wellbeing. In this cross-sectional study, 218 participants who were practicing mindfulness or had practiced in the past completed an online survey about how they first began to practice mindfulness, difficulties and supportive factors for continuing to practice, current wellbeing, and psychological flexibility. Participants had practiced mindfulness from under a year up to 43 years. There was no significant difference in the frequency of formal mindfulness practice between those who had attended a face-to-face taught course and those who had not. Common difficulties included finding time to practice formally and falling asleep during formal practice. Content analysis revealed “practical resources,” “time/routine,” “support from others,” and “attitudes and beliefs,” which were supportive factors for maintaining mindfulness practice. Informal mindfulness practice was related to positive wellbeing and psychological flexibility. Frequency (but not duration) of formal mindfulness practice was associated with positive wellbeing; however, neither frequency nor duration of formal mindfulness practice was significantly associated with psychological flexibility. Mindfulness teachers will be able to use the present findings to further support their students by reminding them of the benefits as well as normalising some of the challenges of mindfulness practice including falling asleep.
Highlights
IntroductionManchester, England 5 University of Derby, Derby, England available through a variety of courses, workshops, internet programmes and apps, and through one-to-one sessions
Mindfulness practice has become increasingly popular in recent years, and training in mindfulness skills is widelyElectronic supplementary material The online version of this article contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.Brighton, England 4 NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational ResearchCentre, Manchester, England 5 University of Derby, Derby, England available through a variety of courses, workshops, internet programmes and apps, and through one-to-one sessions
The results of the multiple regression suggest that frequency of informal mindfulness is more important for wellbeing and psychological flexibility than frequency or duration of formal mindfulness practice
Summary
Manchester, England 5 University of Derby, Derby, England available through a variety of courses, workshops, internet programmes and apps, and through one-to-one sessions. There are uncertainties about how much mindfulness practice is required to produce beneficial effects and regarding the role of informal mindfulness. In other words, choosing to bring the attention to a particular aspect of present experience (such as the breath) without attaching to emotions or thoughts that might arise about or as a result of the experience. This non-judgemental awareness involves acceptance of experience as it is, including those experiences considered to be unpleasant.
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