Mindfulness: An Effective Prescription for Depression and Anxiety

• Anxiety and depression are frequent complaints in primary care.
• Meditation or mindfulness strategies may help decrease health care costs and improve health outcomes for anxiety and depression.
• In addition to Buddhist philosophy, the 2 main secular interventions of Western mindfulness are mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
• Mindfulness can be cultivated through a variety of practices, including meditation, body recognition, and yoga.
• Nurse practitioners must ensure patient suitability before the initiation of mindfulness-based intervention.

Depression and anxiety are common mental illnesses that are associated with substantial economic burdens. Mindfulness practices focus on being present in the moment and can thereby alleviate the suffering that often accompanies depression and anxiety. The benefits of mindfulness practices, including meditation, body recognition, and yoga, have been demonstrated in evidence-based research. In addition, research suggests that an understanding of Buddhist philosophy, and how it complements Western psychology, can help maximize the role of mindfulness in the treatment of mental illness. Nurse practitioners are in an ideal position to identify patients who may benefit from mindfulness-based interventions.