What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the act of placing attention, with intention and bringing yourself out of auto-pilot mode and more into the present moment. A big misconception is that you must practice meditation cross-legged on the floor, completely still, completely empty, and this just isn’t the case.
Mindfulness practice is accessible to everyone no matter your experience. You don’t need special kit or to go anywhere to practice it.
You can practice mindfulness at any time of the day, anywhere you are; in the car, in your home or in the office. It’s completely free and can be done in conjunction with everyday tasks such as brushing your teeth or making a cup of tea.
Mindfulness is often a useful support for staff who feel too busy, stressed and that they have no time to do something for their own wellbeing.
How can it help me?
The benefits of mindfulness are well documented, including stress management, relaxation, better sleep, improved awareness and connection with the world around you and has even been known to help with pain management and menopause symptoms.
Mindfulness can help team members and managers improve self-awareness, reduce stress, enhance focus, and build better relationships, ultimately leading to improved decision-making, communication, and a more positive and productive work environment.
Below you can find further information about mindfulness and see how this can further support your self care and sense of wellbeing. As well as all the details you need for our weekly, virtual, instructor led sessions, facilitated by qualified mindfulness teachers.
There is no “wrong way” to do mindfulness. If you try and you struggle to follow the guidance, try something simpler, start off with some low-pressure breathing exercises and work your way up. You don’t have to have a clear mind for an hour straight to experience the benefits, even just 30-60 seconds of breath awareness can have an effect.
You may find that with time and continued practice that your ability to focus improves, and you become more productive, and the quality of your work improves, eventually leading to a reduction in stress and improved wellbeing overall. Focus is a skill, and modern life is unfortunately sometimes the cause of a reduction in the ability to focus in many people.
Mindfulness is adaptable to however much time you have available to you.
Only have 60 seconds? No problem.
You don’t need to go anywhere else; you don’t need any equipment, and you can use mindfulness in conjunction with other activities such as listening to a piece of music, really listening, picking out the different instruments, taking note of the lyrics if there are any.
You can practice mindfulness while you do the dishes, or do the ironing, or watching your children play. So, while you can practice mindfulness separately, and for long periods of time, it is completely adaptable to your circumstances.
Who is it for: Open to staff who have experience of mindfulness or want to reconnect with practice
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 12.30-1.00pm
Platform: Teams meeting register your interest here
Meeting ID: 314 922 961 228
Passcode: AgZuen
Mindfulness Teacher for this session: Paula Edwards – Mindfulness Teacher and Assistant Practitioner PaulaAnn
Paula has worked in adult mental health services within The Trust for most of her working life. She started practicing mindfulness in 2013 whilst participating in an eight week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy programme facilitated by Mersey Care.
Who is it for: Open to any member of staff new to mindfulness or with experience
Day: Thursday
Time: 4-4.30pm
Platform: Teams meeting register your interest here
Meeting ID: 343 245 438 722
Passcode: cVa2iW
Mindfulness Teacher for this session: Paula Edwards – Mindfulness Teacher and Assistant Practitioner PaulaAnn
Paula has worked in adult mental health services within The Trust for most of her working life. She started practicing mindfulness in 2013 whilst participating in an eight week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy programme facilitated by Mersey Care.
Our four week mindfulness programme is designed for people who are looking to integrate mindfulness more firmly into their everyday life for a more open, positive outlook and improved wellbeing. During each session we will take a deeper dive into how mindfulness can be incorporated into modern life to combat against stress, self-doubt, and overall negativity to achieve a happier, calmer and more proactive outlook.
Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes, and will cover a different aspect of mindfulness including compassion, the mind-body connection, and the effects of stress, including facilitator-lead practice and resources to help you on your journey.
| Date | Time | Registration |
| Thursday 3 April | 2pm | Book your place here |
Mindfulness Teacher for this group: The teacher for this course will be one of our Health and Wellbeing Facilitators. Our facilitators each hold a Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion Qualification (IMC), which is accredited by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body).