Book-smarts don't mean anything if you don't know how to apply them to life.

Mindfulness practices can considerably improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety, especially when used with psychotherapy.

Two meditation pioneers, Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson, answer that question in their new book, Altered Traits.

Your mind doesn't run parallel tasks, it has to trade off one focus for another. The good news is that mindfulness meditation can hone your attention span, and reduce stress and anxiety.