Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is one of the two main mindfulness courses (the other being Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy). Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and his colleagues in 1979 at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction was intended to help people with a wide range of physical and mental health problems that arise as a result of stress.
The primary focus of the MBSR programme is to provide intensive experiential training in mindfulness allowing participants to develop their own means of responding to stress, pain and illness with non-judgemental awareness.
The evidence base for the effectiveness of MBSR is vast and growing. Currently, scientific study is focusing on exploring how mental and physical health ailments can be improved with Mindful awareness.