10 August 2020 Authors: José Temóteo, Inês Marques Mindfulness can be defined as the awareness that emerges when paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. In mindfulness meditation the intention is to pay attention and experience the world in the "here and now", in a very particular way: with curiosity, confidence, openness, acceptance and non-judgment. Contrary to popular belief, in the practice of mindfulness, one does not try to empty the mind of thoughts or emotions, it is a matter of paying attention to the present moment, without being attached to the past or the future. Thoughts, emotions and sensations must be observed as events in the mind, without the person identifying with it or reacting to it with their automatic and habitual response pattern. It is a specific form of relationship with all experiences - internal, external, negative, positive, neutral - in order to achieve a better quality of life. There are two ways to practice mindfulness: informal and formal. Formal mindfulness is carried out through structured meditation practices. It implies training of attention, systematic observation of the contents of the mind and body. Informal mindfulness refers to the use of mindfulness skills in everyday life, such as listening to the sounds of nature, noticing and recording emotions, performing a routine activity as if it were the first time, or paying attention to bodily sensations . Research suggests that mindfulness practice promotes well-being and quality of life in a variety of clinical conditions, such as anxiety, depression and chronic pain. Mindfulness meditation is used in positive psychology and positive psychiatry with several purposes: Promote the management of negative emotional states; Generate positive emotional states; Cultivate creativity; Improve the ability to deal with irritability and frustration; Promote acceptance and change the vision of the self, the world and the future towards a more fulfilling life. In addition, several studies have shown that people who meditate regularly are happier and live happier than average. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
