Mindfulness

Practising Mindfulness has completely changed my life. I don’t plan for the future as much, therefore enabling me to enjoy today, as I am not using today up to plan and worry about things that may or may not happen in the future.

I have stopped multi- tasking, that was hard, but it’s better for managing my adrenaline and cortisol levels, leading to a calmer mind and an improved immune system.

I am aware and mindful of what I am eating and drinking, therefore I enjoy my food and drink more, the result is I am eating less and losing weight, not a lot but a pound or two each month. In fact , my weight has never been this stable for around 6 months , even with Christmas and a 3 week cruise. I would have yo yo'ed by at least a stone.

I am calmer, more at peace and this has had a huge impact on my sleeping patterns and managing my thought process, which in turn manages my emotions. That’s because every thought has an emotional reaction -a feeling associated with it, that in turn drives and influences our behaviour.

So, even when things go wrong as they will, I can remain calm and deal with it in a much better way.

The automatic negative thoughts are quieter, not as frequent and when they do come out, I can recognise them as such and dismiss them easier. Therefore, breaking that negative thought cycle, as if it’s not fed it stops!

My decision-making process has improved, I don’t procrastinate any more, I trust my instincts and go with it. I feel much more in control of my life and not afraid of taking more risks, or making mistakes or getting it wrong, just go with it.

I feel more at peace with my life, I feel happy and for that I am truly grateful.

It's easy to stop noticing the world around us. It's also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living 'in our heads' – caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour.

An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience. This means waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. That might be something as simple as the feel of a banister as we walk upstairs.

Another important part of mindfulness is an awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment.

It's about allowing ourselves to see the present moment clearly. When we do that, it can positively change the way we see ourselves and our lives.

How mindfulness helps mental wellbeing.

Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better.

When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted.

Mindfulness also allows us to become more aware of the stream of thoughts and feelings that we experience, and to see how we can become entangled in that stream in ways that are not helpful.

This lets us stand back from our thoughts and start to see their patterns. Gradually, we can train ourselves to notice when our thoughts are taking over and realise that thoughts are simply 'mental events' that do not have to control us.

Most of us have issues that we find hard to let go and mindfulness can help us deal with them more productively. We can ask: 'Is trying to solve this by brooding about it helpful, or am I just getting caught up in my thoughts?'

Awareness of this kind also helps us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and helps us deal with them better

Mindfulness is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a way to prevent depression in people who have had three or more bouts of depression in the past.

Mindfulness-put simply it’s how to find balance in a frantic world that is getting busier and busier with more and more pressures put on us

Find out more by joining a mindfulness meditation class – several dates available or book 1-1 sessions with me.

Having delivered my first 8 week programme , I am thrilled to say that all five of the group have seen massive changes too. They have also provided feedback, so I can enhance the course even more.

In fact they all scored it  ten out of ten and would like a class in September to see how everyone is doing !

I aim to deliver another 8 week programme -starting on Monday June 4th  at 6.30-8.30 pm and running until the last Monday in July. (Only one place left )

I am planning two more for later on in the year, a morning one and another evening one.

If you have any interest in Mindfulness and want to know how you can gain control of your life and emotions, book onto a course today !

Carole x

Mindfulness Master Practitioner and coach