Jon Kabat-Zinn: Defining Mindfulness (mindful.org)

In 1979, Jon Kabat-Zinn recruited chronically ill patients not responding well to traditional treatments to participate in his newly formed eight-week stress-reduction program. Since then, substantial research has mounted demonstrating how mindfulness based meditations improve mental and physical health, comparably so to other psychological interventions. 

The Definition of Mindfulness:

Jon Kabbat-Zinn explains that ‘Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.’

My own words:

Mindfulness meditations can help, by a person becoming aware of the present moment and to feel if the body is feeling stressed, or the brain/mind is caught up in negative thinking, and then they can choose a meditation technique which may help to interrupt the negative/destructive messages that can then settle the mind which in turn settles the body and brain.

By being mindful and practicing mindfulness, a more balanced and steady life can be experienced.