How to start using Mindfulness against stress?

What to do to incorporate Mindfulness in our daily life and enjoy its anti-stress benefits?

We live in a frenetic society, which has acquired its own rhythm, which is always in a hurry, which always has something to do. Nowadays, "not doing" means not being productive, not being up to date, not taking advantage of time, in short "not being".

The sensation produced by this lifestyle is that of having to be continuously busy, connected; it keeps us alert, a mechanism related to stress responses.

However, it is true that stress is necessary for the survival of the species.However, in the long term, when stress is sustained over time, elevated cortisol levels (stress-related hormone) have detrimental effects on health.

Therefore, stress is undoubtedly one of the major problems of society and affects more and more people at certain times of life. And the consequences are clear, more and more people suffer from ailments such as depression, anxiety and psychosomatic diseases, all associated with high levels of stress.

The keys to Mindfulness as a tool against stress

But... what is it that underlies the activation of stress mechanisms? Closely related to stress is our ability to recognize and manage our mental activity.

Our mind is in constant dialogue, ruminating, going into the past and anticipating the future, planning, etc. Therefore, it is important that we learn to recognize what thoughts come to mind, and what feelings are associated with these thoughts.

It is from this perspective that Mindfulness philosophy worksMindfulness, which is based on learning to become aware, to focus our attention on what we want and thus enjoy a full experience, without being absorbed in other thoughts.

For some years Mindfulness has been installed in our lives as a formula to learn to enjoy life to the fullest. But... Where does this idea come from?

Foundations in an ancient tradition

Mindfulness is a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a term used to translate the word "pali sati" which denotes awareness, attention, remembrance. This mindfulness is combined with meditation techniques that are related to the Buddhist tradition..

We can say that Mindfulness is a quality of mind, or a capacity to be aware in the present moment. The practice of Mindfulness invites us to value life from a new perspective, to see clearly what is happening in the "here and now".

John Kabat-Zinn provides a definition of Mindfulness that characterizes it as "intentionally paying attention to the present moment, without judgment".

The practice of Mindfulness is having very good results in the field of psychiatry and clinical psychology.. And no wonder, since the benefits can be noticeable from the first practice.

How to start practicing?

To start practicing Mindfulness we can do it with informal meditations and then move on to formal practice. and then move on to formal practice. Informal meditation is one that we do when we are paying full attention to certain automatic activities, that is, we do without realizing it or as they say with the "autopilot" on.

These are activities that in general are neither pleasant nor unpleasant and that we have turned into habits: taking a shower, walking from one place to another, brushing our teeth, driving, locking the door before going out....

The proposal from the informal practice of mindfulness is to choose an activity or habit that we that we choose an activity or habit that we usually do automatically and we do it with full awareness.. To perform formal practices or meditations it is necessary to have a suitable place and time, since mindfulness is a quality of mind, but it requires training and for this daily practice is necessary.

A Mindfulness training proposal

For those who want to get started in the practice of Mindfulness, or deepen in the full experience, in TAP Center, from our commitment to accompany and create spaces for personal growth, we use these techniques as a complement to our therapeutic work, obtaining very good results obtaining very good results in the short, medium and long term.

We also offer Mindfulness training workshops, we also offer Mindfulness training workshops for all those who are interested in learning and deepening in the practice of this discipline. Learning to enjoy life consciously and fully is in your hands. Will you join us?

Author: Isabel Rodero López, Pedagogue, col. no. 01678.