Personal Development

Personal development is a life-long process of assessing abilities and qualities, considering life goals and setting targets in order to reach and maximize individual potential.

At ULisboa’s Health and Wellbeing Unit, we carry out the following training activities:

- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program
- Workshop of Relaxation Techniques 

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program – 8 weeks 

The MBSR (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program) was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and his staff at the Centre for Mindfulness (CFM) of the University of Massachusetts’ Medical School. It is a group intervention for populations with a vast array of troubles related to stress, as it is a psychoeducational experiential program based on the development of mindfulness techniques (total awareness) and psychoeducational approaches in the field of stress management, emotional and mental regulation. 

Mindfulness, or total awareness, means to stay conscious, each moment, of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and our surroundings, allowing us to pay deliberate attention to what we do, how we do it, without judging or trying to change the experience.

Being conscious of the present, and possibly perceptive of deep-rooted automatic reactions, will allow different response possibilities to be more easily identified in moments of stress and difficulties.

Countless scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of Mindfulness, relating this practice to a decrease in symptoms of stress and anxiety, and an increase of resilience and ability to focus.

METHODOLOGY

For eight weekly sessions, participants have access to practical periods of experimentation of total awareness/mindfulness and periods of reflection and research about the nature of total awareness and integration in everyday life.

A manual with information organized in sessions will be handed-out and some simple models developed along the program used, so that participants will have some theoretical comprehension of the concepts developed through experience.
Each session will include interactive exercises in order for participants to share their experiences in the course of the program, building a sense of security and community.
 
Other than the work done during the sessions, participants will be invited to practice mindfulness/total awareness exercises daily, through guided practices (mp3), mapping feelings and sensations.

FUTURE PROGRAMS 2019

October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 16, 18, 25
6.30 pm to 9 pm (except November 16 – 10 am to 4 pm)
Location: ULisboa Medical Centre at Cidade Universitária Campus

RATE
ULisboa Students – 90€
General Public – 150€