Important: Mindfulness and other forms of meditation are safe and appropriate practices for the vast majority of people and they are proven to offer a wide range of benefits, including the lowering of stress and deep levels of relaxation. However, anyone who is currently experiencing profound psychological and emotional crisis, or who is otherwise in deep distress (including the recently bereaved), should not try meditation. (At these times it's better to seek counselling, therapy or support from a qualified professional; time spent outside in nature can also be beneficial.) In addition, recent research indicates that it may be unwise for people with bipolar vulnerability or those who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) to try any form of meditation (including Mindfulness) unless it's conducted with appropriate medical supervision. If you are currently receiving treatment for any form of mental health issue (or have received such treatment in the recent past, or have reason to believe that you might need such treatment), you should consult your doctor or psychotherapist, or another relevant health care professional, before engaging with Mindfulness or any form of meditation.
