Still not convinced about the value of mindfulness and meditation? Despite the scientific evidence that mindfulness and meditation significantly reduce depression and anxiety while increasing pain tolerance and empathy, most people do not engage in these practices.
A mindfulness practice of 10 to 20 minutes per day has been proven to reduce symptoms of mental health diagnoses as well as physical ailments. It has also contributed to increased empathy and increased resistance to infection through boosting the immune system.
If a person has not been exposed to mindfulness practice, they will do what they have always done in order to cope with their stress. They simply do not know what they do not know.
However, what about a person who has been exposed to and trained in the practice of mindfulness, and still does not practice it on a regular basis? When asked, they usually say that they do not have time. Yet, they have time to go to the doctor for medication, to go to therapy once or twice a week, or to lay in bed with insomnia or disrupted sleep.
There is a Zen proverb that states one should meditate 20 minutes every day unless they do not have time. Then they should meditate 40 minutes a day.