Mindfulness helps develop self-awareness and achieve greater mental and emotional well-being.
But Mindfulness is also about the well-being of the body, as it promotes stress reduction.
Mindfulness means first of all awareness and acceptance. It seems incredible, but these two elements have a positive effect on the mind and body, favoring a better approach to life and greater well-being.
What does psychophysical well-being mean?
Psychophysical well-being is a state of both physical health and psychological stability. It depends on different factors. For example, the physical well-being derives above all from physical safety, the absence of disease and hygiene. But healthy nutrition, physical exercise, hydration, restful sleep and a regular life are also important. On the other hand, mental and emotional well-being are more complex. They depends on the sense of identity, spirituality, the expression of one’s talents and abilities through hobbies and job, the recognition of others and human relationships.
Well-being is therefore strongly linked to the quality of life.
However, today we live such a hectic and stressful existence that maintaining good levels of well-being is difficult. Fortunately, we can always take action to improve the situation. And sometimes small actions get great results.
What is Mindfulness?
Put simply, Mindfulness includes meditation exercises that foster greater self-awareness, without judgment. The aim is finding well-being. In fact, when we know ourselves and do not judge ourselves, when we accept reality for what it is, we can take off the weight of all the negative emotions that impact mood, health, work and relationships.
In essence, Mindfulness is a practice for resolving and preventing emotional distress and living a happier life.
The origins of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is inspired by Buddhist philosophy. According to Buddhism, suffering derives from a non-optimal interpretation of reality. Negative thoughts generate negative emotions which produce actions that take us away from happiness. However, we can correct this view through meditation. In fact, meditation allows us to notice our thoughts and to consider them for what they are: products of our mind and not absolute truths. When we acquire this critical capacity, we also become able to decide what to think and, consequently, which emotions to experience. This will lead us to have a positive attitude towards life.
This Buddhist tradition was then transformed into a series of techniques for the medical field by the American biologist and professor Jon Kabat-Zinn. Kabat-Zinn combined his scientific knowledge with his interest in Buddhism and yoga, and in 1979 he founded the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts. Here, he developed the Stress Reduction and Relaxation Program to introduce meditation within hospitals to help patients cope with chronic pain and terminal illness. Over time, the program became the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), still very successful today.
Positive effects of meditation
Meditation is known to be good for the body and mind, but what exactly are the benefits? It:
- regulates emotions and activates the areas of the brain involved in the positive ones;
- activates the areas of the brain related to intuition and perceptions;
- increases attention and creativity;
- reduces anxiety, anger and emotionality;
- reduces the production of cortisol, the stress hormone;
- fights inflammatory states;
- has positive effects on DNA;
- reduces brain and cellular aging;
- reduces pain and improve the course of some diseases.
How to practice Mindfulness?
You don’t need to participate in programs such as MBSR. Anyone can practice Mindfulness at home, every day.
An easy exercise is breathing. It takes only 10 minutes.
Here’s how to do it:
- find a quiet and peaceful place, free of distractions;
- find a comfortable position. You can lying on the bad o sit on a chair or on the floor. If you are sitting, use a pillow to stay erect without too much effort. Then, place your hands on the belly or on the thighs;
- you can close your eyes or keep them open;
- take a few moments to become aware of yourself;
- become aware of the parts of the body that are in contact with other parts, with the ground or with the support on which you are seated;
- concentrate on your breath and observe which parts of the body are involved in breathing;
- listen to your breath trying not to change it. Your goal is only to become aware of inspirations and exhalations;
- if you realize that you have changed the breath, bring it back to its natural flow;
- during the practice you will get distracted by thoughts, mental images or sounds. Simply acknowledge it, without criticizing yourself, and gently bring your attention back to the breath;
- when you decide to end the exercise, start moving the body slowly from the extremities.
Finding your well-being in Cagliari
In addition to the wonderful Doglio Theater, the Palazzo Doglio hotel in the historic center of Cagliari hosts Doglio Club, the Mindfulness-inspired spa.
This is where you can rediscover the well-being of body and mind thanks to the swimming pool, the fitness area, the sauna and the numerous treatments available. In fact, guests can relax in the relaxation area, take care of their beauty or get in shape following personalized training programs.
During a vacation or a business trip, Doglio Club is an oasis of peace and serenity, where you can finally dedicate some time to yourself.
Experience a wellness holiday in Sardinia. Discover Palazzo Doglio in Cagliari.
