Mindfulness

Monash is a world leader in mindful education and workplace mindfulness. Since 2012, over 40,000 students and staff have been trained in mindfulness and in a world-first initiative, we’ve included mindfulness in our core curriculum.

We’ve also created the two highest-rated online mindfulness courses of all time (according to Class Central), which have been completed by over 400,000 people around the world.

Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment and engaged with life. It means being accepting, curious and nonjudgmental. You might be familiar with mindfulness meditation, but it’s also a way of living. Regular mindfulness practice can lead to a happier life and improved mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

students smiling in courtyard

Programs

Access our free mindfulness programs designed to help you manage stress, improve your academic performance, strengthen your relationships, and boost your self-esteem.

students smiling in courtyard

Resources

Learn more about mindfulness by tuning into our YouTube channel or check out our resources on mindfulness research and practice.

students smiling in courtyard

Monash Mindfulness

Learn more about the innovative mindfulness initiatives taking place at Monash.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness involves training your attention and attitude to focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. It helps you focus more on study or work, and develop an attitude of friendliness towards yourself (rather than criticism or judgement).

We experience mindfulness in our day-to-day lives, but it can also be strengthened through training. Research shows that consistent practice of mindfulness enhances the executive function networks of the brain (such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus) that are essential in our academic and professional lives. It can help boost your memory and your ability to stay focused, learn, problem-solve, communicate and manage stress. For more information, see what is mindfulness? (pdf, 0.95 mb).

Benefits of mindfulness

There are now more than 1500 new articles on mindfulness published in peer-reviewed scientific journals each year. This research shows that when practised regularly, mindfulness offers a range of benefits, including:

    • reduced stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms
    • increased resilience and peace of mind
    • strengthening of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (key brain areas for learning and wellbeing)
    • enhanced cognitive performance (e.g. concentration, memory and processing speed)
    • boosts to study and work performance
    • improved creativity, mental flexibility and problem-solving ability
    • enhanced communication and leadership
    • improved relationships (with your partner, family, colleagues and friends).