Hypnotherapy Articles
Well-being at Work with Mindfulness
Posted by Nicola Preston Bell in General | 0 comments
What is Mindfulness?
If you haven’t picked up the buzz around Mindfulness, it is about choosing to be aware of whatever is happening in the present moment, without judgement or analysis, just bringing your senses to the party with your full attention. What is so marvellous about that, you might ask? Read on, I will try to explain.
Time-travelling minds
Truthfully, when we start to notice what our mind habitually gets up to, we usually find that we are re-hashing the past (“why did he say that?” “Did I forget to feed the cat?”) or rehearsing the future (“when I’ve got this email done, I must remember to reply to the boss on that new project”), and we are thinking this stuff while working on something else or driving somewhere, although not in the email example!
Minds that are busy
So when people discover that practising Mindfulness includes meditation, they are a bit disappointed and think that they can’t meditate, as they know how busy their minds can be, especially at 2am when they are trying to get back to sleep.
However, Mindfulness meditation can be guided meditations, a lot like guided visualisations or relaxations, when you listen to a voice that helps you to stay focused. And you don’t need to meditate for hours a day, even 10 minutes a day can make a difference.
You might be wondering what differences people have noticed once they start to practise mindfulness.
- Becoming more aware of the thoughts that you are holding on to and the ones you are letting go.
- Being able to focus on something soothing, calming or uplifting instead of something that causes you anxiety, anger or sadness.
- Improved sleep patterns
- Feeling calmer and making healthier food and exercise choices.
- Being kinder to yourself.
- Choosing to soak up the good moments and let go of the bad ones.
When I introduce Mindfulness to groups, I am always keen to point out that there are often times when we are “naturally mindful”. We look at sports, interests and routine activities to notice when they are absorbed in the moment, or could be absorbed in the moment, such as during a shower or on a walk in the countryside. People often say that when they walk in the countryside they begin by being wrapped up in their thoughts, but then a lovely view, or fragrance, perhaps birdsong, will distract them and invite them to just be present, totally in the moment and soaking up the landscape. People who play sport find that they become completely involved in the game while they are playing. In all these absorbing activities, we generally feel much better afterwards.
Wellbeing is more than just your relationship with yourself, although developing a compassionate and kinder attitude to yourself is extremely important.
Happy & healthy office
When everyone in the team is happy and healthy, energised and enthusiastic, everyone is more productive. Recognising when you are tired, bored, anxious means that you are accepting you are human and need to take a step back to examine how to get re-energised and bouncy again. Mindfulness teaches you to be quiet and check in with yourself so that you pick up the early warning signs of fatigue, irritation, or whatever might hold you back from fully engaging with life.
- So I will teach you about the effects of stress on the body and mind and what can trigger the stress response.
- You will practice tuning in to the body and breath and letting it calm down.
- Simple stretches can really help you to notice where the tension is in your body, so that you can become more aware of your posture.
- I will lead you through a body scan meditation so that you can develop your ability to get out of your busy head and back into the present moment.
Lots more happens in these sessions that allows each participant to discover for themselves what appeals to them and what they want to take forward to maintain well-being and health.
If you would like further information about Mindfulness in the workplace, call me 01444 819075 or email me and I can design a course, introductory day or programme to suit your needs.