Mental Health and Human Resilience

Biography

Biography: Patrizio Paoletti, Tal Dotan Ben Soussan & Tania Di Giuseppe

Abstract

Psychosocial factors, such as increased levels of social engagement, positive emotion, and dispositional optimism have all been shown to promote resilience. In addition, our brains are continuously shaped both functionally and structurally by experience on which explicit training can capitalize to promote more adaptive brain functioning. These factors, as well as additional characteristics of resilience, such as positive self-concept/esteem, self-awareness, hopefulness, emotional expression, emotional management in stressful situations, and interpersonal problem-solving skills can increase by traininig, such as meditation. The current workshop will first present qualitative and quantivative research findings that illustrate how people can benefit from training, and especially from meditation, in terms of neuroplasticity and psychological well-being. We will, then, have a practical experience of OMM – One Minute Meditation methods - and will learn the procedure of how to: (1) become more relaxed and increase concentration, (2) prefigure more effectively, while acquiring more Detachment from needs, Distance from negative emotions and Determination; (3) improve the ease in relating to others thanks to the focus on personal values, thus achieving more self-awareness. By these experiences and by the neuroscientific results demonstrating the physiological effects which can be obtained following a minute of training (e.g. decreased cortisol, improved neuronal function), we will further learn not to underestimate the power contained in just one minute. An infinite number of things happen in a very short time. Together with the fact that these state changes are also achievable with open-eyes makes it appealing for potential applications in daily life.