Aileen Asks... Ron R. Lacson: How can mindfulness help me cope with work-related stress?


By Aileen_PYP on 15th Aug 2020

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Aileen Asks Ron R. Lacson, Certified Mindfulness Practitioner

 

Well, first, let's have a straightforward definition of MINDFULNESS.

Mindfulness means paying attention in a precise and distinct way; on PURPOSE, in the PRESENT MOMENT and NONJUDGEMENTALLY.

 

You can find similar definitions in books and the internet, but the above is practically the easiest to grasp, emphasizing the crucial three elements.

 

Mindfulness is becoming aware of our thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and the things around us. 

When we do that regularly (every moment), we are giving ourselves the many possibilities of greater freedom and choice. This will allow us to BLOCK negative thoughts (sometimes called 'mental ruts') that are causing STRESS, including those that are WORK RELATED.

 

Our thoughts are very powerful and will have effects on how we feel. If we are not mindful of our thoughts, they will be triggered and will have their own life automatically; and sometimes disturbing images are formed, which will make us feel anxious, sad, and scared, and then, of course, we will have a feeling of being STRESSED.

 

Mindfulness can help us cope with stress by not holding on to these thoughts and images passing through our minds and LETTING GO of them as we return our attention to the PRESENT MOMENT WITHOUT JUDGING (the present moment). The PURPOSE is to allow us to get a better perspective of the current situation because you are aware of it, and you did not let your mind wander. Mindfulness can help us cope with stress because by being aware of the present moment, we can eliminate or block pessimism and hopeless thoughts, which are the products of a wandering mind. 

 

Thoughts are not always facts; they are just thoughts. Horrible thoughts about our work are not still real; most of the time, our minds create them because we give them the power to drive us crazy, which will make us feel stressed. Mindfulness helps us not to judge our thoughts and instead see them clearly as just thoughts, and not real. Mindfulness is about being at the moment, i.e., your breathing, your present activities, body movements, etc. It helps us eliminates stressful thoughts and nuts.