How can mindfulness reduce stress?
Stress is about overwhelm in the present because typically we are doing too much for the capacity we are able to run at with the resources we have available to us.
Mindfulness enables us to create a narrow focus, prioritise better and helps us to…
- Manage unhealthy thoughts e.g., “I can’t cope with this”, “I’m never going to finish this assignment on time”, “I should be able to do this like everyone else”, “I’m so frustrated with all this”
- To take time to pause before reacting to something. It’s easy to react defensively if we think we are being criticised for something. It might be that the other person is simply trying to be helpful. If we react too quick our short temper may get the better of us.
- Be more aware of how the situation is affecting us emotionally and physically so we can alter our reaction to it then, and in the future.
- Gain more emotional intelligence about the way we do things and why we do things. With this information, we can become more sensitive to the needs and reactions of others. This allows us to not misinterpret unjustly and instead to ask questions rather than making statements that we might regret later.
- Be more aware and sensitive to our own needs and the needs of others. As a result, our sense of compassion and empathy increases. This enables a greater depth of calm and relaxation to occur by inhibiting activity in the Amygdala, the control centre for the stress response.
- Be more relaxed and stay ‘in-flow’ with our attention and focus. Instead of viewing the task as boring or overwhelming, we take it easy and calmly. Before we know it, we can have been engaged in the same task over a period of hours!
