Life is hectic, and when we spend all our time rushing around, working hard, playing hard and hanging out online it can really start to take its toll on our ability to cope mentally.
Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, how you feel physically and the world around you.
Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Learning how to be mindful and calm our mind is proven to have positive benefits, helping us to relax, reduce stress and give us the mental strength to help us face life’s challenges.
Anyone can learn how to practice mindfulness and it can be a useful self-help tool when things get too much. For example, many young people use mindfulness as a way to help them cope with exam stress.
Have a look at the resources below and take a moment to connect with yourself.
Resources
Information on the benefits of mindfulness:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness/
Mindful apps:
- Calm – Huge variety of mindful activities on different themes as well as relaxing music and sounds to listen to. Lots of free content to get you started.
- Headspace – A great app in which to develop a daily mindfulness habit. Teaches you how to track your mood and develop your own mindfulness practice.
Video
How to do a mindful breathing exercise https://youtu.be/wfDTp2GogaQ
