Mindfulness

Being present enables us to experience life in a fully embodied way. If we are preoccupied with the past or future, we are then unable to fully experience the present.  There is a saying “she has her head in the clouds”. Whilst we all experience this at times having our head in the clouds does not serve us well in the long term.

There are many aspects of our lives that mindfulness can help with. For example, it can help develop more compassion for ourselves and others.   Mindfulness can also act as an internal thermometer for our thoughts and emotions and the physical effects that they have on the body. Thoughts create an emotion which in turn can have a physical effect on the body, if we use mindfulness with specific meditation exercises, we can monitor these effects more closely. This complex relationship between our minds and bodies is called the mind-body connection.

Mindfulness helps us to be in the “being mode” instead of “doing mode” and this helps with the day to day experience of living. There is a body of evidence that if we practice mindfulness and meditation exercises regularly this can reduce stress and burnout.  It can help rewire the parts of the brain associated with creative thinking and decision making. It also affects the part of the brain that is associated with the flight or fight mode in a positive way as it decreases this area of the brain so we are not living in a constant state of fear.

Mindfulness and meditation, if practiced regularly, can assist us with making more appropriate decisions in our lives. The courses I offer are based on the book, “Mindfulness, a practical guide to Finding Peace In A Frantic World”, by Mark Williams and Danny Penman.

I offer Mindfulness courses for the NHS and its Workers, or Busy People and those who want one to one tuition.