Pandemics often make it difficult for a person to carry out daily activities because of the stress they have to deal with. So many regulations from the government to protect its citizens can cause prolonged stress to someone. This condition often makes it difficult for someone to focus on something they are doing. As a result, the activities carried out cannot be maximized. Therefore, we need a method that can be applied effectively anywhere, anytime and by anyone. One way that can be applied to increase concentration in carrying out activities is mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the ability of an individual to be aware of and pay attention to every detail of the events that are happening at that time (Brown & Ryan in Fourianalistyawati, 2017). The state of mindfulness is the condition of an individual who consciously brings his experience to the present state with a full sense of openness and a sense of acceptance. Mindfulness brings the individual’s awareness to focus on the goal, by not judging and not avoiding conditions that cannot be mastered (Kabat-Zinn, 2004; Harris, 2009). With the dispositional ability to be mindful, individuals can accept every experience that occurs receptively and openly (Brown, Ryan, & Creswell, 2006). Being mindful means that the individual is aware of whatever his current condition is, regardless of past and future events (Mace, 2008). According to Heath, Carsley, De Riggi, Mills, & Mettler in Fourianalistyawati (2017) individuals who have high mindfulness abilities tend to have low levels of depression, whereas individuals with high levels of depression are known to have low levels of mindfulness. In addition to mindfulness which is naturally owned by individuals, there are also various mindfulness therapy training that can be done. There are various ways that can be done to practice mindfulness conditions, including acting with awareness and non-judging of inner experience, which is one way of mindfulness therapy that can be done to improve one’s mindfulness condition. In addition, mindfulness breathing training can also be one way to improve the state of mindfulness. In a study conducted by Triman et al on Mindfulness Training to Reduce Anger Emotions in Teenage Drivers, it was found that simple and brief mindfulness therapy was quite effective in reducing the angry experience of motorists induced through autobiographical recall.

This proves that applying mindfulness techniques in everyday life can make a person able to be more focused on what is being done, so that ongoing activities can be passed optimally and efficiently.

References:

Brown, K. W.,  & Ryan,  R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: mindfulness and  its  role  in  psychological  well-being. Journal   of   Personality   and Social Psychology, 84, 822-848

Fourianalistyawati, E., Listiyandini R.A. (2017). Hubungan Antara Mindfulnessdengan Depresi Pada Remaja. Jurnal Psikogenesis, Volume 5, No.2, 115-122.

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2004). Bringing mindfulness to medicine: an interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. Interview by Karolyn Gazella. Advances in mind-body medicine, 21(2), 22-27.

Mace, C. (2008). Mindfulness and the future of psychotherapy. European Psychotherapy, 8(1), 123-139.

Triman, A., dkk (2017). Pelatihan Mindfulnes untuk Mengurangi Emosi Marah pada Pengemudi Usia Remaja. Retrieved Mei 12, 2022 from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Endang-Fourianalistyawati/publication/319527368_Pelatihan_Mindfulnes_untuk_Mengurangi_Emosi_Marah_pada_Pengemudi_Usia_Remaja/links/59b10487aca2728472d0f0ef/Pelatihan-Mindfulnes-untuk-Mengurangi-Emosi-Marah-pada-Pengemudi-Usia-Remaja.pdf