Mindfulness
"Meditation practice isn't about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already."
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Pema Chödrön, The Wisdom of No Escape: How to Love Yourself and Your World
What is mindfulness?
​Mindfulness is a particular, way of paying attention to what's happening in
the present moment, without judgement. It involves taking notice and being
curious about our thoughts, the patterns of the mind, the sensations in our
bodies and our surroundings and, as best we can, letting them be.
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How can it help?
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​Mindfulness is a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, stopping overthinking and rumination, preventing burnout and improving wellbeing. Mindfulness works by teaching us to:
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Cope with emotions with more awareness, which helps to reduce anxiety and fear;
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Notice our self-talk, beliefs, worries and the stories we tell ourselves that might be maintaining anxiety and stress;
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Practice stepping back from our self-talk to gain a different perspective;
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Reconnect with our body as a place of grounding and support in times of distress;
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Learn how to use compassion, forgiveness and kindness to help ease inner tension; and
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Rediscover and redirect our attention toward the things that really matter to us in order to live well.
8 week mindfulness course
​Mindfulness Based Cogniive Therapy (MBCT) is an 8-week mindfulness course with a strong evidence base for all alleviating stress, anxiety and depression and improving wellbeing. It combines elements of mindfulness practice and cognitive behavioural therapy to help people develop greater awareness and acceptance of their thoughts, emotions and experiences. MBCT is approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and offered within the NHS.
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This established course can be taught in groups or 1:1. If you would like to discuss whether MBCT might be for you, please get in touch.