MIIndful 10

Mindfulness is a technique you can learn which involves making a special effort to notice what's happening in the present moment (in your mind, body and surroundings) – without judging anything. It has roots in Buddhism and meditation, but you don't have to be spiritual, or have any particular beliefs, to try it.

MIIndful 10 - Get involved!
During November we are launching our MIIndful 10 meditation challenge. We will provide 10-minute mindfulness meditations for you to join in as and when it fits in with your life. The meditations will be led by an experienced mindfulness practitioner, Jonathan Bates and will run over a 10-day period. The meditations have been designed to give you a short burst of self-care in your busy day. You can challenge yourself to attend as many days you feel you can manage.

It aims to help you:
• become more self-aware
• feel calmer and less stressed
• feel more equipped to respond to your thoughts and feelings
• cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts
• make you more focused and productive
• be kinder towards yourself

Many people find practising mindfulness helps them manage their day-to-day wellbeing, but it doesn't always work for everyone.

How does mindfulness work?
The way we think (and what we think about) can affect how we feel and act. For example, if you think or worry a lot about upsetting past or future events, you might often feel sad or anxious. The theory behind mindfulness is that by using various techniques to bring your attention to the present (usually focusing on your body and your breathing), you can:
• Notice how thoughts come and go in your mind. You may learn that they don't have to define who you are, or your experience of the world, and you can let go of them.
• Notice what your body is telling you. For example, tension or anxiety can often be felt in your body (such as in a fast heartbeat, tense muscles or shallow breathing).
• Create space between you and your thoughts, so you can react more calmly.

Mindful meditation - how do we do this?
This involves sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing, your thoughts, sensations in your body and the things you can hear around you. Try to bring you focus back to the present if your mind starts to wander.

If you would like to take part please register your interest via 'Book Now' and we can send you details nearer the time on how to access our MIIndful schedule and meditations.