Health and Wellness: Mindfulness

Addressing a timely topic in the field, this special issue covers the benefits of cultivating mindfulness to foster positive development and flourishing in adolescents. Presenting the theoretical and empirical basis of mindfulness training with adolescents, it includes specific programs, activities, and guidelines for bringing mindfulness skills and habits to this constituency. This special issue: Establishes a theoretical framework within mindfulness-based approaches in adolescence Includes reviews of empirical evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions with youth, provides guidance for evaluation, and discusses limitations and future direction for research and practice Aims to be a practical resource for educators and practitioners who work with adolescents and their families.

"While the concept of living in the moment seems simple, the reality is often entirely different as our minds chatter and fret and rarely stand still. Fortunately, Ernst Bohlmeijer and Monique Hulsbergen have written a clear and reassuring guide to mindfulness and ACT, with illuminating exercises and a wealth of information about how our minds work. But more than this, it''s also a guide to living a more contented life, as the reader is encouraged to search out and live a life guided by their most deeply-held values. Combining mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) exercises in an accessible 9-week programme, Bohlmeijer and Hulsbergen show you how to observe your thoughts without judgement and connect with the ''here and now'' in your life. By spending a few minutes a day, you will discover what really matters to you in life and learn to base your day-to-day actions on your values. Learn how to live in the moment with this step-by-step guide to mindfulness and walk away from fighting difficult emotions.

College students and other young adults today are experiencing high levels of stress as they pursue personal, educational, and career goals. In recent years, there has been increased awareness of the seriousness of these struggles, which may increase the risk of psychological distress andmental illness among this age group now commonly referred to as "emerging adults." Scientific research has shown that practicing mindfulness can help manage stress and enhance quality of life, but traditional methods of teaching mindfulness and meditation are not always effective for thisdevelopmental stage.Mindfulness for the Next Generation is an easy-to-use guide that details a four-session mindfulness-based program, called "Koru," aimed at helping young adults cope with anxiety, navigate the tasks they face, and achieve meaningful personal growth. Authors Holly Rogers and Margaret Maytan, DukeUniversity psychiatrists and the developers of the Koru program, discuss the unique challenges this group faces, identify effective teaching techniques for working with them, and review the research supporting mindfulness for stress reduction in a scientifically rigorous yet reader-friendly way. Thebook explains the specific model created by the authors and describes each session in a "mini-manual" format. Mindfulness for the Next Generation is written for therapists, teachers, health professionals, and student service providers who work with college students and other emerging adults.