How Mindfulness Transforms Your Learning

How Mindfulness Transforms Your Learning

Have you ever faced a difficult learning situation and wondered how to overcome it?

Whether studying for an exam, learning a new language, or mastering a skill, we've all experienced moments of stress, mental block, or frustration.

Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

Today I want to share with you how mindfulness became my ally in overcoming one of those moments and how it can help you too.

First, a little background: I had a scholarship at my university. To keep it, I had to maintain a specific grade point average. If my grades weren't good enough, I would lose the scholarship.

During the third semester, I wasn't doing very well, and I had a subject that was very difficult.

The day of the end-of-semester exam was approaching, and my anxiety was mounting. I felt completely overwhelmed. The amount of information I had to learn was enormous, and the fear of failure kept me from concentrating.

One day, after hours of unproductive studying, I decided to try something my psychologist had recommended but I hadn't tried before: a mindfulness technique.

Image by Silviu on the street from Pixabay

I sat in a quiet place, closed my eyes, and focused on my breathing. I breathed deeply, paying attention to each inhalation and exhalation, and let the negative thoughts pass without judgment, or at least I tried. It wasn't easy, especially since this was my first attempt, but in just five minutes of breathing slowly and making a conscious effort to focus on something other than the exam, my mind began to calm down, and I was able to return to my studies with more focus.

Mindfulness is a practice that involves paying full attention to the present moment, without judgment. It has its roots in ancient traditions, such as Buddhism, but in recent decades it has gained popularity in the West thanks to its proven benefits for mental health and well-being.

In the context of learning, mindfulness helps us reduce stress, improve concentration, and better manage our emotions.

Physiologically , mindfulness has a profound impact on our brain, since when we practice mindfulness, we activate the prefrontal cortex , the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, focus, and emotional regulation.

At the same time, it reduces activity in the amygdala, the region associated with fear, stress, and "fight or flight" responses. This allows us to think more clearly, retain information better, and face learning challenges with a calmer and more positive mindset.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

At Oncalingo , we believe in the power of mindfulness to transform the way we learn. That's why we integrate this practice into our online language classes .

Our teachers not only teach you grammar and vocabulary, but also guide you through mindfulness techniques so you can learn more effectively and in a more relaxed way.

Ready to try it? Join us and discover a new way to learn languages!