Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: A Review

Abstract

Mindfulness, an ancient Buddhist practice, is not just recognizing and living in the present moment. It is a way of welcoming things by recognizing them right now. Mindfulness is an approach about gently bringing attention, which tends to go to the past and future, back to the present and accepting what is perceived. It includes intentional and nonjudgmental attention in the present moment. Before thought, which is always one step ahead or behind the present moment, there is awareness in the present moment. In fact, mentally healthy individuals who are able to distinguish between the real and the unreal think about the question of "Is this the case or am I perceiving it this way?". For this reason, how the person perceives is more important than events/situation. The most important determinant on the way to awareness is the way of welcoming individually perceived events/situations. Attitudes as a form of welcoming events and situations are staying in the moment, compassion, noticing judgments, acceptance, beginner’s mind, patience, letting things go. Many factors may cause students stress in nursing education. Academic and clinical stressors are experienced by many nursing students enrolled in a nursing education program. When these stressors are not managed well, mental problems such as depression and anxiety disorder may ocur. This review aimed to analyze the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program.