- Mindfulness is a technique based on breathing and concentration, in a state of active and present attention, in which thoughts and feelings are observed without being judged, accepting what arises in the mind and body without trying to change it.
- They warn of the problem of not knowing or being able to disconnect. “We live in a state of hyperalert due to the amount of stimuli,” say specialists. “We have accustomed the brain to thinking too many things at the same time”
The holidays are coming, the time to disconnect from work and academic obligations and the stress of routine. It is time to relax and enjoy other types of stimuli, or no stimuli at all, to listen to the silence and look at the clock without the time having any importance in our day. However, many people openly declare themselves incapable of disconnecting from the whirlwind of routine. That is why the Mental Health specialists of the health group Ribera They recommend the practice of full attention or mindfulness as a tool to channel concentration: during the course, in studies, work and home routines; in summer, with leisure activities and rest, with disconnection.
Full attention or Mindfulness is a technique based on breathing and concentration, in a state of active and present attention, in which thoughts and feelings are observed without being judged, accepting what arises in our mind and body without trying to change it. For Marta Marco, psychologist at the Department of Health of the Vinalopo, “in life in general, we need to focus our attention on the tasks we perform, both at work and in pleasurable activities.” The “lack of practice” in this mindfulness makes it sometimes difficult to relax, for example, on summer vacation. “Sometimes, it is difficult to achieve that state, because our brain is thinking about several things at the same time, because we have educated it and accustomed it to this,” he explains, after remembering that with current technology we receive a lot of information daily and at a high speed. .
María Elena Ballester, psychologist at the Ribera hospital Virgin of Charity at the clinic in Los Alcázares (Murcia), explains that the regular practice of mindfulness “helps reduce levels of stress and anxiety, increases productivity and performance, allows us to concentrate better and avoid distractions, in addition to improving decision making.” and precision in different tasks and help make informed decisions.” During the holidays, it is not necessary to be productive, but it is necessary to learn to relax, taking a break from tasks that usually generate stress.
Screens: stimuli that condition attention
For Mónica Villar, child psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist at Ribera Hospital Povisa (Vigo), electronic devices are not good allies for this much-needed capacity for full concentration. “They predispose young people to a state of hyperalertness and expectation, which makes it difficult for them to concentrate on a task,” he explains, also during moments of rest. And for this reason, he adds, it is necessary to practice exercises that promote mindfulness since "they help us train our mind to calm down and predispose us to optimize our ability to concentrate and learn."
Marta Marco, psychologist at the Vinalopó Health Department, explains the effect of electronic devices and social networks on the brain: “They provide us with a multitude of images that change planes very quickly, in addition to sounds, pop-up screens, the commercial jumps, and video games, which are increasingly more realistic. All of this ends up having an effect on the brain and it teaches it to be constantly alert, because it gets used to receiving quick information,” she says. Jorge Pernía, psychologist Torrejón University Hospital, goes further and warns about the medium-term consequences of excessive use of social networks. "When one withdraws from the screens, 'disconnecting', and is left alone with oneself, anxiety can arise significantly in adolescents, but also in adults, when they are suddenly 'invaded' by their own thoughts - 'overthinking' they call it - and they are tempted to start some behavior, often self-destructive, that expeditiously puts an end to that restlessness," he explains.
