Tired, distracted and stressed by the pace of modern life? Mindfulness might be the solution.

Mindfulness is essentially about being more aware and awake in every moment of your life. It is about intentionally paying attention to each moment, being fully engaged in whatever is happening around and within you, with an attitude of friendliness and compassion.

Research shows that when we are not deliberately paying attention to something, our brain clicks off into default mode, which is characterised by mind wandering, operating on “autopilot,” dwelling on the past, and worrying about judgment, criticism and the future.

The result can be increased stress and anxiety, poor communication, and impaired academic and occupational functioning.

Learn mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and improve performance

Mindfulness can help you unhook from these unproductive thought patterns and behaviours, and engage more fully with work and leisure time.

This practical six-week course explores the science, practice and philosophy of mindfulness. You will learn how to incorporate mindfulness practices into your life to reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance your personal and professional life.

You will understand formal mindfulness meditation practices, as well as the informal practice of being mindful in daily life to learn - to pay attention to the present moment instead of worrying, dwelling in the past or reacting to what is happening.

You will also develop an attitude of friendliness and compassion toward yourself, as opposed to self-criticism.

These mindfulness-based approaches have been found to improve executive functioning, learning and memory, performance, communication, empathy, and mental and physical health.

Learn from experienced mindfulness practitioners

Associate Professor Craig Hassed is a General Practitioner and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Mindfulness Coordinator at Monash University. Craig is a regular speaker in Australia and internationally on the application of mindfulness for health and wellbeing. Craig has authored nine books, including Mindful Learning with Dr Richard Chambers.

Dr Richard Chambers is a clinical psychologist specialising in mindfulness-based therapies. A Mindfulness Consultant at Monash, Richard has published a number of peer-reviewed journal articles and was involved in the development of Smiling Mind, a website and smartphone app designed to make mindfulness accessible to young people.

You can find out more about this course in Craig and Richard’s post for the FutureLearn blog: “Mindfulness: how not to be driven to distraction in this modern world.”

Sign up today, and join the “mindfulness revolution”!