My attention span is very short and I easily get bored, so when exercising I have to go to a class rather than the gym otherwise I walk out after 10 minutes. The same has happened with mindfulness, many years ago I did a day course and although could see how it may benefit me I didn't practice the techniques. However working in health and with Dr Taneja (meditation & mindfulness teacher), I am hearing more and more about how mindfulness can really change things for the better. I have decided to do an 8 week course.
So how can it help and why should you consider it?
Do you ever feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or unhappy? Are you sometimes self-critical or look back at the past and have regrets?
It is normal to feel a little unhappy sometimes but at times these feelings of sadness can escalate and before long we are being self-critical and getting on a downward spiral.
Mindfulness meditation teaches you to recognise memories and damaging thoughts as they arise. They make you realise they are only thoughts and not real. Rather than reacting to what you are thinking, you are given the time and space to choose the best way to deal with them.
Mindfulness based cognitive behavioural therapy (MBCT) was originally designed to help people who had suffered repeated bouts of serious depression to overcome their illness. Apparently it's 'as least as effective as antidepressants and has none of their side effects. It is so effective that it is one of the preferred treatments recommended by the UK's National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).
It is a very simple technique with short daily meditations and breaking of habits, and over time can bring long-term changes in mood and levels of happiness and wellbeing.
You can watch this short mindful breathing exercise video on YouTube from Every Mind Matters.
If you are in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire Dr Taneja runs 1:1 sessions or group classes. (e-mail innerpeace.cl@gmail.com).
Alternatively follow the Mindfulness a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world book which has a cd or downloadable app to guide you.
References:
Book: Mark Williams and Danny Penman: Mindfulness- a practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world
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