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More and more folks are speaking with me about the anxieties that have arisen or worsened over the past few months with the dynamic change in our current environment.
Fortunately, there are useful stress-reduction tools with free access via the world's
largest video library, YouTube.
True, you could watch the cute animal snippets, cooking tutorials or slapstick home movies that are routinely posted.
I'd like to suggest that you spend a half hour with Jon Kabat-Zinn as he leads a session on Mindfulness Meditation during a workshop at Google.
Here's the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAtC489sVDg
Kabat-Zinn defines mindfullness as
"The awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgementally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment.”(2003, pg. 145)
(Kabat-Zinn,, J. Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future
Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10 (2) (2003), pp. 144–156)
I hope you'll let yourself experience this short journey with a pioneer guide.
As a long-time proponent of this approach to life and self-care, JKZ knows what he's doing.
Until next time, take good care.
"Mindfulness", a type of cognitive practice derived from Buddhist meditation, is receiving a lot of press with good reason.
With training, an individual gradually learns to focus attention on one's breath, body and thoughts from a nonjudgmental stance of awareness. If the practice is made daily (for even a few minutes at a time) a new ability emerges to live without the encumbrances of past and future worries.
Research is finding that mindful meditation practice can improve mood, reduce inattention problems in adults and teens (e.g. ADHD), lessen anxiety, decrease chronic pain and even improve relationships!
Mindfulness training is available in many forms and formats--from your local yoga studio to Wikipedia's "How To" section to a free master class with one of the most noted practitioners and teachers, Jon Kabat-Zinn. (The folks at Google posted his hour-long lecture/demo on You Tube as a public service!)
Mindfulness Apps are available (and many are free) for smartphones of all kinds.
Read the reviews carefully to see what is right for you on
GooglePlay,
Aptoide for Android,
Itunes or
Samsung Galaxy Apps
Additionally, as a service for their student body, UCLA and other universities post useful links for free guided meditations and podcasts that can start you on your way.
I've posted the links below with all the specifics.
Let me know what you think......
Jon Kabat-Zinn's demonstration class on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc
Wiki's How-To Instruction:
http://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Mindfulness-%28Buddhism%29
UCLA Student Health: Free Guided Meditations
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center Podcasts:
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=107
The Free Mindfulness Project
http://www.freemindfulness.org/download
A Sampling of Great Blogs summarizing new Mindfulness scientific research
(some are more technical than others, but all have some less jargony postings)
http://www.scientificmindfulness.com
http://mindblog.dericbownds.net
http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/05/22/mindfulness-meditation-for-adults-teens-with-adhd/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewire-your-brain-love/200911/nine-ways-meditating-brain-creates-better-relationships
