MINDFULNESS
Steve Tsakiris
Transformational Coach. Public Speaker. Workshop Facilitator. Sound Therapist. Poet
We overtax our nervous system to the point of stress. This means we’re almost constantly on high alert with no method of release or relief.
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The mind, and specifically our way of thinking, is the key in generating stress and also in alleviating it.
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In our evolutionary past, our nervous system's fear response played a vital role in protecting us from external dangers, such as predators or imminent physical harm. This "fight or flight" response was crucial for survival as it enabled our ancestors to take immediate action in the face of direct threats.
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Fast forward to the present day, and the nature of threats has significantly changed. While we no longer face sabre-toothed tigers or other life-threatening creatures, we encounter a different set of challenges in our daily lives. Modern stresses are much more subtle and also more insidious…
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1.????Work-related Stress: High-pressure work environments, tight deadlines, and demanding responsibilities trigger the same fear response as a direct physical threat.
2.????Social Pressures: Social interactions, relationships, and societal expectations create internal stress and anxiety.
3.????Financial Concerns: Worries about money and financial stability also activate the same stress response as external threats.
4.????Self-Doubt and Insecurities: Internal conflicts, self-doubt, and negative self-talk evokes fear and anxiety.
5.????Uncertainty and Change: Dealing with uncertainty and facing changes in life can trigger the fear response, even if the situations aren't immediately life-threatening.
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In the modern world, our nervous system continues to react to these internal threats as if they were physical dangers. However, the response is not always helpful; it can lead to chronic stress, emotional turmoil, and illness. When we sstay on high alert, this is detrimental to our well-being.
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Less thinking is required; gaps and spaces between thoughts; generating awareness and insight that allows us to access deeper spaces within our mind and body and to evolve in consciousness. How do we do this?
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Mindfulness:
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Observing our thoughts, physical sensations, and emotions without judgment we can break the automatic cycles of stress and anxiety.
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Mindfulness practice allows us to address modern challenges more effectively. By cultivating awareness and the resultant insight that comes with that, we recognize when our mind and body are reacting to internal stressors and negative thought patterns and we can do something to ease that response.
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Through mindfulness, we create gaps and spaces between our thoughts.
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These moments of mindfulness enable us to respond more intentionally and calmly to stressors instead of reacting impulsively. By developing this capacity for awareness, we become more attuned to our internal state, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves.
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The Rewiring Process (Neuroplasticity):
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Our thoughts, actions and habits literally rewire our brain ! This is called “neuroplasticity” When we do this consciously we can adapt to the modern challenges and find better ways to deal with them. By calming the nervous system and calming the mind, we gradually reduce the intensity of the fear response to non-life-threatening situations. Over time, we build resilience and the ability to navigate life's stresses more effectively.
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By practicing mindfulness, we can create a more balanced and adaptive response to stressors, leading to increased well-being; this is an important part of personal development.
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Calm the body, calm the nervous system, calm the mind. It doesn’t happen on its own, it’s a practice and you have to invest in it for yourself !
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? Steve Tsakiris
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