While some wellness trends can be a little kooky or even dangerous (vaginal steaming and goat yoga spring to mind) there’s others that have really stuck around.
Calling mindfulness a ‘trend’ may be a little misleading, though, as it’s been practised for centuries as a core component Buddhist tradition and arrived in the west in the twentieth century.
Mindfulness uses forms of meditation to clear the mind of stresses and anxiety by focusing on the smells, sounds and feelings of the present moment. If you can nail it, it’s a great way to chill out and move your physical body into rest and digest mode – also known as firing up the body’s parasympathetic nervous system – but here’s the clincher: it takes practice.
Which is why there’s so much media in the form of books, apps and podcasts that promise to teach newbies how to do it. We’re about to tell you everything you need about one of the most popular - Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in A Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman.
What is Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World?
Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World is a book that was published in 2011 and went on to become hugely popular, spawning follow up books like Mindfulness for Health and Mindfulness for Creativity, and even an app. It was written by Oxford Professor Mark Williams and esteemed journalist Dr Danny Penman.
Mark Williams the author of Mindfulness
Mark Williams is a retired Oxford University Professor of Clinical Psychology (he’s got lots of letters after his name, that’s for sure) who, along with journalist Dr Danny Penman, wrote best seller Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World? in 2011.
On his staff page on the official University of Oxford website, he says, “My research focuses on psychological models and the treatment of depression and suicidal behaviour, particularly the application of experimental cognitive psychology to understanding the processes that increase risk of suicidal behaviour in depression. The research is important because relapse and recurrence in major depression is a major problem for sufferers, their family and society, in both high income as well as low and middle income countries throughout the world.
“With my colleagues John Teasdale (Cambridge) and Zindel Segal (Toronto) I co-developed Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for prevention of relapse in depression. Studies show that MBCT reduces the recurrence rate in those who have suffered three or more previous episodes of major depression as effectively as antidepressant medication. In Great Britain, the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), working on behalf the National Health Service, has recommended MBCT as a primary treatment for prevention relapse in depression.”
Impressive stuff.
Is Mark Williams' Mindfulness app free?
The official Mindfulness: Finding Peace app was developed following the success of the book and is designed to be used in conjunction with it. It’s free to download and use and is ranked 4.4 stars out of five, which isn’t too shabby.
CHECK OUT: the best wellness breaks and retreats to practise mindfulness
The best wellness breaks and retreats slider
1 of 11Loch Rannoch Hotel and Estate We Price Match Hotel Loch Rannoch Hotel and Estate, Scotland
Being situated right near Loch Rannoch, this hotel boasts absolutely stunning views. If you're a dog lover, you're more than welcome to bring your pooch for a scenic walk around the Scottish countryside. As well as having a gym, the Loch Rannoch Hotel also has a spa and wellness centre with a pool, sauna and massage treatments available too. Absolutely idyllic.
2 of 11Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, Gloucestershire
Situated in the truly stunning location that is The Cotswolds, this hotel boasts hot tubs, limestone baths and an onsite spa that even includes a hydrotherapy pool and hammam room. You'll be glad to treat yourself to a well deserved break at this hotel.
3 of 11Lough Erne Resort, Northern Ireland
A beautiful destination in Enniskillen on the Lough Erne, you'll be in for a treat at this 5-star resort. The Thai spa is the perfect place for some down time, offering massage treatments, sauna and jacuzzi facilities too.
4 of 11Larkhill Tipis and Yurts, Wales
Definitely a unique destination, this retreat is the perfect break to get some headspace. A luxury yurt is a way to do glamping in style in a dreamy Welsh forest. With spa facilities like massage and hot tubs, you'll never want to leave. Why not give glamping a go to set your mind at ease?
5 of 11Lakes Hotel & Spa, The Lake District
With views of Lake Windermere, and just a short stroll away from the village centre of Bowness-on-Windermere, it's the perfect destination for a wellness retreat. Half the rooms even include a hot tub on your own private balcony, along with some great on-site spa facilities.
6 of 11The Carlyon Bay Hotel and Spa, Cornwall
Perched on the cliffs of St Austell Bay, The Carlyon Bay Hotel features a luxury spa, award-winning restaurant and a golf course. There's no better choice for a much needed getaway.
7 of 11ARTIEM Asturias, Spain
ARTIEM Asturias is set back in the rural location of Asturias, just 2.5 miles from the beautiful Ñora Beach. With an impressive wellness centre, including sessions available from yoga instructors and personal trainers, you'll be feeling refreshed in no time.
8 of 11Les Roches Fleuries, France
A gorgeous chalet in the mountains of France along with stunning views, spa treatments - and a hot tub for those chilly nights. Perfect, if you ask us.
9 of 11LHP Hotel Montecatini Palace & Spa, Italy
You'll feel like royalty in the Montecatini Palace Hotel. In the beautiful region of Tuscany, visiting this Italian destination will have you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. With spa treatments, heated pools and sauna, it's exactly what you need for a wellness weekend away.
10 of 11Kamares Boutique Hotel & Spa, Greece
A totally unique and historic property, the Kamares Boutique Hotel & Spa is an 18th century mansion with fitness, spa and wellness centre. Reviewers have said they've had "a break away from real life", that they were looking for.
11 of 11Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, Iceland
In the amazing destination of Reykjavik, Iceland known for its' geothermal beaches and the Blue Lagoon, is there a more relaxing destination than this? This environmentally conscious hotel offers a good fitness centre and spa facilities.
WATCH: Emma Kenny’s mood boosting tips
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World book
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World is the title of the original 2011 bookby Mark Williams and Danny Penman, which comes with a free CD and celeb endorsement from the likes of Ruby Wax and Goldie Hawn.
The book promises to “[reveal] a set of simple yet powerful practices that you can incorporate into daily life to help you break the cycle of anxiety, stress, unhappiness and exhaustion. It promotes genuine joie de vivre; the kind of happiness that gets into your bones and seeps into everything you do.
“The book is based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT revolves around a straightforward form of mindfulness meditation which takes just a few minutes a day for the full benefits to be revealed. MBCT has been clinically proven to be at least as effective as drugs for depression and it is recommended by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence – in other words, it works.
“But more importantly, it also works for the rest of us who aren’t depressed but who are struggling to keep up with the relentless demands of the modern world. In short, Mindfulness helps you meet the worst that life throws at you with renewed courage.”
Mark Williams meditation
If you’re not ready for the book or the app, you can have a taster of Mark Williams’ magic-working meditation thanks to some kind folks that have put together playlists on YouTube and Spotify.