Mind full to Mindful: a guide
It can seem a daunting task and one not far from a superhuman effort to be mindful. Our Western culture today prizes those who lead full tilt, unbalanced lives in the pursuit of money, fame and fortune. Usually this pursuit takes a toll on our physical and emotional health and social connections.
How can we start to unlearn these hard learned habits, dedicate ourselves to mindful practice techniques that suit our lifestyle yet still be effective in our required daily roles?
Our minds themselves are complex organs that are still wired with the same ancient emergency system of our homo sapien ancestors. This Fight or Flight response resides in the part of our brain called the limbic system and causes our body to flood with stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in response to either a saber tooth tiger, looming deadline or screaming child. When our body is repeatedly flooded with this emergency response our general levels of cortisol do not completely diminish causing nervousness, irritability, loss of focus and fatigue. Recently scientists have come to understand that a child who experience frequent stresses such as malnutrition or neglect causes high levels of cortisol that can impact their social, emotional and behavioural problems in later life (Biological Psychology Journal, 2011. Volume 70, Issue 11, Pages 1016–1023.) However, research on adults is sparse and the only indicators we have are the climbing rates of depression and anxiety common to the ever increasing demands and pressures of our modern life. Depression is the leading cause of disability world wide and in Australia it is estimated that 45% of people will suffer mental health illness at some point in their life (Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, 2007. Cat. no. (4326.0). Canberra: ABS.).
Mindfulness and meditation provides us a tool where we can dedicate time to recharge from the daily toil of our lives scientific research has provided that measurable benefits can be seen from just 8 minutes of daily practice according to Dr. Richie Davidson, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and founder of Center for Healthy Minds. Our brains are so wired to seek a reprieve in our pressures that we are often drawn to experience quiet and calm in our habits whether gardening, long drives, creative ventures, nature adventures, cooking or exercise. To further increase the balance, control, focus and peace in your daily life there are numerous styles of mediation practices that you can learn to live a more mindful and happier life overall.
To find out more about what meditation is click here and the find our more about mindfulness click here.