Basking in mindfulness

THE concept of mindfulness has been around for many years, but fast-paced levels of co-existence has given it traction in today’s environment.

Professor emeritus Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder and former director of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, USA, assisted in bringing the practice of mindfulness meditation into mainstream media, and he also showed that practising mindfulness can result in tremendous improvements in both the physical and psychological well-being of individuals. Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment, and accepting it without judgement.

Though it may appear to be simple, mindfulness brings with it tremendous benefits. Let’s start with your well-being and mental health – it boosts working memory, reduces stress, creates a broader capacity to treat with adverse events, relieves depression, helps with substance abuse, relieves eating and anxiety disorders. Mindfulness also brings positive outcomes in your body as it treats with heart disease, lowers blood pressure, reduces chronic pain, improves sleep patterns and alleviates gastrointestinal difficulties. Your work environment is not devoid of benefits as you become more efficient, task-focused, communication between your co-workers and yourself is improved, you become a better leader, better listener and better prepared to embrace constructive criticism.

Mindfulness is designed to re-configure our minds to experience life as it happens, our energies and thoughts are channelled towards the present moment and we avoid worrying about things that occurred in the past or what might emerge in the future; there is also a purposeful concentration on what’s happening around you and you are also non-judgemental about any observations.

Being mindful and focused provides clarity in your thoughts, slows down your nervous system, allows you to relax, helps to cope with stress and most importantly, assists in becoming more aware of yourself, your body and the environment. Because of its uniqueness, there is research to suggest that mindfulness helps individuals to accept their experiences, feelings and painful emotions, rather than respond negatively.

Begin your new journey of mindfulness by developing a systematic method of focusing your attention on your present circumstances and basic meditation techniques.

Professor Kabat-Zinn recommends at least 45 minutes of meditation for six days weekly, but these simple exercises can also help. With eyes closed, sit calmly on a straight-backed chair for at least 30 minutes and focus on your breathing and air flows from your nostrils and mouth. Become aware of sounds, sensations and ideas and embrace each thought with purity and an open mind.

These exercises allow your awareness to expand and can lead to a renewed you.

Sandrine Rattan is a Communications/ Branding Consultant/ Author and President of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or contact 283-0318.