Mindfulness: benefits and practice

BENEFITS OF THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS

• We will improve our ability to cope with difficulties and conflict situations.
• We will acquire more equanimity when experiencing difficult situations, without dramatizing them and with more ability to solve problems.
• We will acquire the ability to respond with less anxiety in any situation.
• It will reduce depressive episodes in those people who tend to suffer.
• We will be more aware of those thoughts we generate and lead us to experience difficult emotions.
• We will reduce the impulsive response and reactive behavior.
• We will imprrove our attention and concentration.

Quan es realitza un curs o programa de Mindfulness en grup s’exposen situacions que generen malestar, com estrès, dolor o ansietat i s’adquireix tant la capacitat de prendre distància respecte als propis pensaments automàtics com la capacitat d’acceptar millor les situacions desagradables o de conflicte. Tots aquests canvis promouen una visió més equànime de les situacions i, per tant, permeten a la persona donar una resposta més adequada a la situació. 

 All these will promote a more equitable view of the situations and will allow the person to respond more appropriate to each situation.When we participate on a group Mindfulness course or program we can identify some situations that generate discomfort, stress, pain or anxiety, and we can also learn the ability to distance ourselves respect to the automatic thoughts. That also improves the ability to better accept unpleasant or conflict situations.

We can train ourselves in this consciousness with the practice of meditation.

WHAT IS MEDITATION?

Many people believe that meditation is leaving the mind blank, repeating mantras, or relaxing. Some people associate it with a religious practice. But meditation in itself is not that. Meditation is a technique that allows us to observe our thoughts so that we can extract knowledge of their nature. Meditation also observes the body, the breath, and focuses on the present moment. With this mental exercise people are able to recognize the workings of our consciousness (we become aware of our consciousness).

MINDFULNESS IS FOR EVERYONE

Everyone can learn the practice of mindfulness and meditation, it is only need to adapt the practices to each person with the help of someone who has the necessary experience and knowledge. With this intention, different course protocols have been developed that are taught by certified professors. These courses have a specific program with a guaranteed methodology.

The most important courses that are endorsed by American or United Kingdom universities are the MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress REduction) developed by Jon Kabat -Zin, the MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy) developed in the UK by Williams, Teasdale and Segal and the MSC (MIndfuness Self Compassion) developed by Germer and Neff.

At the Guttmann Brain Health Institute we offer the MBCT Program for Adults and also a Mindfulness Program for Children, which will be especially beneficial for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).