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Mindfulness

Your head never stops. Thoughts, worries, to-do lists. Mindfulness teaches you to observe all that without being carried along by it, and so to create room for calm.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness means paying attention. Noticing what is happening right now, inside you and around you, without judging and without reacting straight away. It sounds simple, but it takes practice. We are used to living on autopilot, always occupied with yesterday or tomorrow.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are the two most researched programmes. MBCT was developed specifically to prevent relapse in depression and is recognised as a first-choice treatment by international guidelines.

Scientific basis: MBCT reduces the risk of depressive relapse by 43% compared with standard care (Teasdale et al., 2000, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology). More than 1,500 studies support the effectiveness of mindfulness for stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. NICE regards MBCT as first-choice relapse prevention in depression.

Who is it for?

✓Stress and burnout

✓Recurrent depression (relapse prevention)

✓Anxiety and chronic worrying

✓Chronic pain

✓Sleep problems

✓As a complement to other forms of therapy

Related complaints

Stress Burnout Depression Anxiety disorder Worrying

Related treatments

ACT CBT Heart coherence Positive psychology

Frequently asked questions

How much time does mindfulness take?

An MBSR or MBCT programme usually runs for 8 weeks, with weekly group sessions of 2.5 hours and daily exercises at home (30 to 45 minutes). Individual mindfulness sessions are shorter.

Do I have to meditate?

Mindfulness contains elements of meditation, but it is not a religious practice. It is about attention and awareness, not about emptying your mind.

Does mindfulness work if I have had complaints for a long time?

Yes. Research shows that mindfulness is also effective with long-standing complaints. It teaches you to relate differently to those complaints, which significantly improves quality of life.

Ready for a first conversation?

Book an intake with a certified provider. Together you will look at what best fits your situation.

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Mindfulness may be reimbursed from Dutch basic health insurance with a referral from your GP.

Sources: Teasdale et al. (2000), Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · Kabat-Zinn (1990), Full Catastrophe Living · NICE Guidelines Depression