Interest in the concept of awareness is increasing every other day as an approach to increase motivation against stress and emotional distress in the recent years. Difficulties in communication, anxiety and stress throughout the day, although not having physical aspects, causes people to feel exhausted mentally. At the same time, this causes people to feel lost in their
own concerns and oppressed under their feelings. When such emotions extend over time, they cause lack of attention and focusing problems.
In the studies carried out on human brain it was determined that around 60 thousand thoughts pass through human mind per day. And, most of these thoughts are negative thoughts. While 50 thousand of our thoughts belong to the past and are lost in the “if onlies” of the past, the remaining 10 thousand focus on the future and are lost in the concerns for the future. Thoughts in the mind jump like a monkey, go to the past and then go to the future just like jumping to another branch. In other words, the mind has difficulty to stay at the present. Therefore, metaphor of Monkey Mind was used to define this in the Far East.
• But, how can we change this?
• How can we relax our minds like still water?
• How can we stay in the present by paying attention and
getting focused?
It is possible to find the answer to these question through Mindfullness, which is recently discussed a lot and being a subbranch of psychology, in other words being in a Mindful Awareness state.
Zümra Atalay, being one of the experts on this subject defines Mindfullness as the state of being at Present and Here, in
other words, wellbeing. The present includes paying attention to what is going on, to notice the quality of such attention and to accept what are noticed without the urge of judging them. Mindfullness is a skill and can be learnt. It teaches the state of wellbeing in life. Living with mindful awareness sets off from the motto of “Be where you are”. And this allows transition to the state of ‘wellbeing’.
All approaches regarding mental health express that the more the distance between where you are and where you want to be the less the state of wellbeing and feeling good will be. Life is made up of instances. Most of us spend their time by planning two days ahead, making an emotional rehearsal of everything regarding that time and get away from the present. And we lose our skill to live the present. The skill of living the present, the instance will reduce this variation and will calm down your mind as a still water by ensuring that you always contact with the present.
So, how can you be Mindfull?
It is known that Mindfullness exercises are being performed 5 minutes before the meetings in large companies such as
Google. Everyone focuses on breathing and that instance. Then the meeting is commenced when the body and the mind
is brought together in the meeting room.
Now, I will tell you about two exercises. When you read it you will see that the main philosophy of all exercises is to establish the connection between the mind and the body. This is an exercise done by slowing down or solely by being ‘still’ and becoming aware of the body and the surrounding and without trying to change what is happening and adopting acceptance.
The First Exercise, Focusing on Breath
Only be still at certain times of the day and solely concentrate on your breath. Breath is always the present. You will notice
that your mind will start make plans again and thoughts will flow. Bring your mind to your breath again without feeling
quilt or judging and try to stay there. If you try to do this 1 or 2 times a day, it will help you to concentrate on the work you do.
The Second Practice is Slowing Down
Before eating, look at your food and smell it. Try to find what ingredients it is made of, and which spices are used in it. Then, try to have the first 3 spoons with slow movements and trying to enjoy its taste.
Try to understand its taste with your tongue, the sound created when eating with your ears, its smell and the sensation it
gives to you. In other words, try to use your 5 senses. You will understand that the less your focusing problems will be, the
more you perform these exercises.
