Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1266179
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JULY 2020 OPINION Olga Formosa THE Faculty for Social Wellbeing has been noticing that the incidence of anxiety has been increasing dramati- cally over the last years. In fact, few are those nowadays who make it through a lifetime without experiencing it at one point or another. Stress and anx- iety have become an almost inevitable part of life and anxiety disorders have, in fact, become amongst the most common psychiatric disorders across society. Taming anxiety, lessening its recurrence and dampening its impact on our lives can be quite a challenge. There are, however, tools that can aid against letting anxiety get the better of us. Even for those to whom anxiety is a recurring part of life, it shouldn't be allowed to overtake their being. The evolutionary reasons for the ex- istence of anxiety link back to survival, preparing us for 'fight or flight' in the face of threats. However, the increas- ing prevalence of anxiety in our lives nowadays can put us at risk of encoun- tering debilitating repercussions. Iden- tifying methods to reduce its incidence and mitigate its impact is therefore be- coming essential to our wellbeing. The good news is that there are many lifestyle choices that can help equip us face anxiety-related adversities. Small actions like using a feelings journal, engaging in regular exercise or re- ducing caffeine/alcohol intake can all make a difference. Approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy are also amongst some of the practices renowned for helping with emotion regulation. With these, mindfulness, a buzzword in recent years has also been gaining increasing popularity. But what is it all about and does it really help? Finding its roots in Eastern tradi- tions, mindfulness has been gaining considerable popularity in the Western world over the last few decades, and for good reason. Defined as paying atten- tion non-judgmentally to the present, mindfulness encourages skills focused on attention to, and awareness of pres- ent-moment experiences. When it comes to emotions, mindfulness can provide the tools to reflect, without ru- mination, on how we feel. Mindfulness research for instance, suggests that students who can reflect on their feelings and thinking styles, have a significant advantage – not only through improved learning strategies, but also in coping with demands of studies and their later experiences in their career. In the case of employees, it has been found to increase work effica- cy and job performance. Mindfulness, in fact, is suggested to have a salutary effect on psychological well-being. Through its role in facilitating re- laxation, increasing body awareness, emotion regulation, and cultivating cognitive changes, mindfulness may improve well-being even directly by simply enhancing present-moment clarity of experience and contact with life. Some might struggle with this if keeping a busy mind is a coping mech- anism for them. Nevertheless, through an individual's cultivation of awareness of his or her own thoughts and feelings as well as those of others, mindfulness has the potential to enhance commu- nication and connection with others. Research into the effects of mind- fulness-based interventions has been steadily suggesting the potential ef- fects that these have on our well-being, with positive effects on mood, anxi- ety, stress, and overall quality of life. Thankfully, for those of us who have may not have mastered these skills yet, mindfulness consists of skills that can be learned and developed with practice and consistency. The core of mindfulness training is attending, observing, and accepting what is happening here-and-now in a purposeful way without judgement or criticism. The lifestyles we are used to, of applauded multi-tasking, rush- ing through life on auto-pilot, reading that email during a meeting, browsing our social networks while watching a movie, all the while unmindful to be- ing present, may need to be reviewed. However, mindfulness practice au- gurs to provide a valuable asset for our quality of life. The Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta together with the School of Perform- ing Arts is currently investing in mind- fulness initiatives, offering its members guided meditation sessions aimed at promoting healthy minds,. Life is a journey and it won't always be straightforward. Learning about oneself and developing ways to cope that can contribute towards cultivating wellbeing and emotional balance could be life-changing. With its benefits ex- tending even beyond the onset of anxi- ety, dedicating even just a few minutes daily to a 'mindfulness moment', can help us connect to our reality towards more fulfilling lives. Mindfulness matters Olga Formosa is research support officer, Faculty of Social Wellbeing