HOLISTIC AND STRESS RESEARCH CLINIC

Department of Psychiatry, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram Introductory Workshop on Mindfulness Meditation Being in the present moment: Mindful Stress Management Next Workshop: 12.12.2012 ; 4PM 6.30 PM Venue: Deaddiction Centre, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Sources of stress can be personal, interpersonal, occupation, academic and the like. An array of causes, which place demands upon the resources of the individual, can result in stress. Stress management involves various strategies such as reappraisal or positive reframing of the stressful situation, managing negative emotions through the regular practice of relaxation, suitable lifestyle modifications such as proper diet, exercise and leisure time as well as through modifying ones negative beliefs and thoughts that maintain stress. Many people consider a stress free life as the BEST Life (though this is not completely right). The ideal solutions for BEST Life are: a. Changing ones Behavior b. Coping with ones Emotions c. Modifying ones Styles and Situations in Life d. Dealing appropriately with ones Thoughts

What is Mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation?

Meditation is one of the most significant contributions made by India to the world civilization. There are two main types of meditations Concentrative meditation and Mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness involves intentionally bringing ones attention to the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment, and is often taught through a variety of meditation exercises. This relaxed non-bias awareness allows one to see things clearly as they really are and learn to respond, rather than react to stressors encountered. Since 1970s, current scientific literature describes various clinical interventions based on training in mindfulness skills with increasing frequency. The popularity of such techniques appears to be growing rapidly. The Mindfulness-based interventions have been successfully used in several medical settings in the management of stress, depression, anxiety, substance use, and chronic medical ailments. The core components include acceptance of unwanted feelings, rather than automatic routines that tend to perpetuate difficulties. This helps to develop the various life skills of self-awareness, effective communication, better

interpersonal relationships, creative thinking, effective problem solving skills and decision making ability, better ability to cope with emotions and stress and the like.

Aim:
The workshop aims to make the participants aware of the ill effects of stress and the importance of mindfulness in health and disease. The workshop will expose you to the various exercises, which can help to create an attitude of mindfulness, and its practice and application.

Objectives:
Identifying and managing stress Learning practice of mindfulness meditation Practice and application of mindfulness in stress

Who is the workshop for?

Mindfulness meditation can be practiced and applied by individuals from different age groups and walks of life. It is particularly relevant for those experiencing high demands and those who constantly face challenges in life and are required to cope with stress most of the time.

Workshop: Duration, Time, Venue, Registration

The duration of the interactive workshop will be two and a half hours. The program will be held on every second Wednesday from 4.00 PM to 6.30 PM, at the Deaddiction Centre of the Department of Psychiatry, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. Registration will be on a first come first served basis and a maximum number of 25 participants will be accommodated. The registration fee for the workshop is Rs. 100.

To register please contact

Holistic and Stress Research Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. Telephone: (0471) 2528271, 9447 123 789/ E-mail: maanasam12@gmail.com

Workshop Facilitator
Dr. S. Krishnan, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.