The Science of Happiness
MINDFUL WORKHow mindfulness can change the way you operate from
the inside outPresented for the Queensland Police Service by Jon
Unal
What is Mindfulness?Why do we need Mindfulness?Stress
ManagementBenefits of MindfulnessGuided meditation practiceQ &
A
OVERVIEW
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?
MIND WANDERINGStudy of 15,000 people by Matt Killingsworth:47%
of the time we are thinking something else than what we are
currently doingStrong relationship between mind-wandering now and
being unhappy a short time later
DEFINITION
WHY DO WE NEED MINDFULNESS?
WHY DO WE NEED MINDFULNESS?Blaise Pascal, 17th century French
philosopher: All mens miseries derive from not being able sit in a
quiet room aloneStudy by Wilson (et.al. 2014): - 67% of men
self-administered shocks- 25% of women self-administered shocksDr.
Richard Davidson: Our brains are constantly being shaped, wittingly
or unwittinglymostly unwittingly. We tend to be pawns of the forces
around us. Our work, bycontrast, is inviting us all to actually
take more responsibility for our minds and our brains.
WHY DO WE NEED MINDFULNESS?
CHALLENGESHuge decline in our attention spanHard to connect and
communicate with each other with fragmented attention Information
overload & fast pace livingAnxiety, stress and burnoutSleep
deprivation & exhaustion
STRESS
STRESS RESPONSE IN THE BRAIN
REACTION - RESPONSEBetween the stimulus and response, there is a
space and in that space lies our freedom and power to choose our
response Viktor Frankl
STRESS MANAGEMENT
VIDEO: MINDFULNESS & BRAIN
BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESSClinical research shows effectiveness of
mindfulness in:Reducing psychological stress, anxiety, depression
and pain (Goyal et.al. 2014; Hofmann et.al. 2010)Enhancing
cognitive performance (concentration & memory) & emotional
intelligenceImproving emotion regulation (Arch & Craske,
2006)Slowing down the ageing process by repairing telomeres
(Blackburn et.al. 2015)Increasing resilience and
self-awarenessImproving relationships, happiness & overall
well-being
MULTITASKING
EFFECTIVE ATTENTION SWITCHINGResearch: Our brains can focus on 1
thing at a timeSimple versus Complex Multitasking Multitasking
increases stress, fatigue and reduces performanceEffective
attention switching: Doing one thing at a time with full attention
and presence
TIPSKindness and CompassionPatienceSuccess / Failure
Non-strivingAcceptanceDont worry about the wandering mind
GUIDED MEDITATION
consciousbeginnings.com.aumeetup.com/West-End-Mindfulness-CirclePresentation
online:
FINAL WORDSDo you have the patience to waitTill your mud settles
and the water is clear?Can you remain unmovingTill the right action
arises by itself - Lao Tzu
