It encourages you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings so that you can manage them in a different way, with more positive outcomes.
We've created some guided mindfulness practice videos, starting with the one embedded on this page (other links below), which you can try anytime.
You can also read more about mindfulness in the boxes below, and in our top tips for being more mindful by clicking here.
Here are some more to try, led by Suzanne, counsellor and mindfulness teacher:
Practising mindfulness can give you more insight into your emotions, boost your attention and concentration and improve youremotional wellbeing by helping with stress, anxiety, and depression.
It can also help with physical health problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic pain.
There are lots of apps and resources online that can teach you the skills. One of these is SilverCloud, an online programme which has a module on mindfuless. Click here to find out more.
You can also build mindfulness skills as part of everyday tasks and activities. Two of our mindfulness teachers have shared their top tips for being more mindful, click here to read more.
Our Healthy Minds service offers courses that teach you how to practice mindfulness. These are usually eight-week courses with a two hour session per week, but this can vary depending on location. You can find out more by contacting your local Healthy Minds service.
If you work for us, the staff wellbeing service offers mindfulness courses. You can find out more by visiting the Staff Wellbeing Service page of the intranet.
Mark, from Stockport, said: “Along with other newcomers I was made very welcome at the group session and the instructor tailored the content to our needs. Mindfulness has allowed me to approach life in a more level headed way, seeing the positives as well as managing the negatives. It has given me more awareness over my reactions to everyday experiences and it gives me greater power to make informed and balanced choices to improve my overall wellbeing.”
Amy, from Rochdale, said: “My experience of mindfulness has, without doubt, changed my life. It gave me the tools I need to respond well to stress and anxiety in an everyday practical sense. Mindfulness has given me the courage and strength to face, and accept, the inevitable difficulties in life; I feel I can respond to the judgements my mind makes about perceived problems with perspective and awareness rather than reacting with irrational fear.”
