Mindfulness, as the word suggests, means the mind full of nowness that pertains to awareness in the present moment. It could be done in a number of forms, the most well-known is meditation.

Commonly practiced in a comfortable sitting position, mindful meditation involves focusing our attention, such as our breath, and paying attention to our sensations, feelings and thoughts in the moment without commentary or judgment -- just being “here and now” with ourselves. But it is not as easy as it sounds.

A meditation practitioner for over 15 years, Cindy Yap, an administrative officer currently working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said that being intensely aware of what is happening at the moment might take a lot of work.

“I found it difficult when I started meditating for the first time,” she said in a recent interview. “But I didn't give up, knowing its psychological benefits to reduce my stress.”

Findings from studies by John Hopkins University in Baltimore, the United States, in 2013 suggest that mindful meditation could help to ease psychological stresses such as anxiety, depression and pain. Studies have also shown that mindful meditation can help to improve our immune system, assisting our body to fight off infections.

However, some meditation techniques are easier said than done, thus, it can result in participants giving up the practice rather quickly.

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