Rather than dismissing the parents comment, would you tell us why you find it useless and add to the discussion?
Personally I found mindfulness to be helpful in unwinding, and I've found that my concentration levels are generally higher than they were before I started using it. It may not be the most efficient technique, but it's been a benefit for many people, me included.
Not GP, but I sympathize with their sentiment. I think I'm generally pretty "mindful", but I've tried meditation probably half a dozen points in my life (each for a week+) and it has never felt like anything but a waste of time to me. I really don't know how to express it in any more detail, it simply didn't feel like I had accomplished anything of value with that time.
Personally I found mindfulness to be helpful in unwinding, and I've found that my concentration levels are generally higher than they were before I started using it. It may not be the most efficient technique, but it's been a benefit for many people, me included.