Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects
Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007 Kirk Warren Brown, Richard M. Ryan, J. David Creswell 3,622 citations
Mindfulness involves paying attention to present-moment experience with an open and non-judgmental attitude. This article examines how mindfulness relates to established theories of attention and awareness in everyday life. It reviews evidence that mindfulness reduces negative functioning and enhances positive outcomes across mental health, physical health, behavioral regulation, and interpersonal relationships. The authors discuss proposed mechanisms for these benefits and suggest future directions for theoretical development and empirical research.