Why be more mindful?

Returning our attention to the present moment helps ground us in a greater reality. For example, we might notice we've been ruminating about something which has already happened and outside our control. Or become aware that we are catastrophising about a possible future, which may or may not happen.

Developing a non-judgmental presence requires practice. Mindfulness helps us see the world through fresh, less judgmental eyes.  

Common benefits for people who practise mindfulness techniques include:

  • less stress and anxiety
  • less negative rumination
  • a more balanced approach to life's ups and downs
  • less emotional reactivity
  • more calm and balance
  • improved health outcomes - lower stress levels, improvements to blood pressure, less inflammation 
  • improved pain management
  • better collaboration with colleagues
  • more focus at work
  • better cut off between home and work
  • improved sleep quality

Can non-judgmental presence be developed?

Think of mindfulness as a program rather than a single activity. The program contains a series of brain training exercises to help you flourish and grow.

If you go to the gym, you might do some stretching and some cardio. The next day you might do a back work out and the following day a chest workout. On the next day, you might engage in a team sport.

This is how it is with mindfulness. Different techniques do different things to the structure of our brains:

  • Learning to focus helps us be more focused, dampens the stress response and enables us to be less reactive.
  • Body scanning enables us to explore how our physical filters impact how we think, feel and communicate.
  • Learning deep diagrammatic breathing reduces amygdala activation and helps us be less reactive.
  • Developing love and compassion for others helps us see the world from other perspectives, deepens our relationships and helps us feel happier (greater left prefrontal cortex activation)
  • Exploring our triggers and filters through labelling thoughts and emotions enables us to learn from and grow from feelings and painful experiences.

Who can be a mindfulness coach?

Andy Roberts from Breathe London has a masters in Applied Positive Psychology from UEL in 2006. His dissertation was on how to introduce mindfulness into organisations. He is a Sivananda yoga teacher and has trained in Vipassana meditation techniques. He lectures mindfulness to medical students at James Cook University in Queensland.

Dorinda Talbot is a psychotherapist and has been teaching and practising Zen meditation techniques for many years.

What is your next step to becoming more mindful?

 

Find out more and book an appointment

Wellbeing coaching

Andy is one of the owners of Breathe London and divides his time between Sydney and London. Contact us to make a coaching booking.


Psychotherapy and mindfulness in Waterloo

Dorinda is at Breathe at the Colombo Centre on Tuesdays.