Mindfulness meditation, the practice of paying more attention to the present moment, helps lower stress hormones and decreases inflammation in the body, scientists have proven for the first time.

The training has been growing in popularity in recent years, with the NHS recommending mindfulness as a way to reduce stress and anxiety.

Studies have shown that mindfulness can decrease self-reported stress levels and make people feel calmer, but until now it was unknown if it was having a biological impact on the body.

Now scientists in the US have shown that an eight week course of mindfulness, involving daily classes, can help lower inflammatory molecules and stress hormones by around 15 per cent.

The therapy was shown to work better than a non-meditation stress management course.