MINDFULNESS IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

Art of being in the present and not letting the thoughts of the past or the future cloud the joy of being in the now.

Professor Mark Williams, professor of clinical psychology at Oxford University and a director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre says it brings about long-term changes for overall well-being.

HISTORY OF MINDFULNESS Luis Felipe Morales Knight of 

Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology earliest records began with Hinduism 1500 BCE

Christian mindfulness was first seen in Europe in around 530 CE The Persian Mevlevi Order was most well known

Jewish mindfulness began in the 10th century

Jon Kabat-Zinn took religion out of the equation in 1980’s

JON KABAT-ZINN

Jon Kabat-Zinn, born in New York in 1944 Founded  the Stress Reduction Clinic in 1979

He formulated the world famous eight week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction(MBSR) course here

He has seen positive results in healing people with: autoimmune diseases Psoriasis mental illness patients with leukaemia

MINDFULNESS QUOTE

MBSR [Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction]

MBSR uses combination of meditation, yoga, and body awareness that promote healthy body and minds.

The Palouse Mindfulness websitegives free online courses for those interested in MBSR.

Most likely benefits: Cope with stress, pain and daily

challenges Deal with disturbing events Be fully present and live in this moment

MINDFULNESS AS ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIDEPRESSANTS

MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy) is a branch of MBSR Developed to help people with depression and

extreme unhappiness. Recent studies shown results of 2 year

study comparing effects of MBCT and antidepressants. MBCT was declared to have the same effect as antidepressants. Spearheaded by William Kuyken [Oxford] &

Richard Byng [Plymouth University]

MINDFULNESS IN THE CLASSROOM

It is known that half of mental disorders begin by the age of fifteen and 75% before the age of 24.

 Mindfulness in Schools Project was made to train teachers and parents in the art of mindfulness

 Mindfulness in the classroom not only helps reduce stress and depression, it also improves brain function so children achieve more academically

MINDFULNESS FOR PARENTS

Practicing mindfulness allows parents to enjoy each little step in their children’s journeys through life.

Remember, children are like sponges and they will mirror your behaviour.  Show them that hard work pays off but that relaxation and fun are also a vital part of life.

A mindful parent is compassionate and non-judgemental.

MINDFULNESS FOR PARENTS continuation

The Australian Childhood Foundation suggests before reacting to a situation, you stop, breathe, quieten your thoughts and calmly ask yourself the following:- What is happening with my child at this

moment? What does my child feel? What does my child need? What am I feeling? What do I need?

MINDFUL BREATHING

Raymond Weil, MD, says “Practising regular mindful breathing can be calming and energising and even help with stress related health problems, ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.”

We need to practice deep abdominal breathing.

When you are comfortable with the technique, then you could introduce visualisations

Mindfulness Technique

Here’s a video on TED featuring Andy Puddicombe talking about mindfulness in 10 minutes:

USEFUL MINDFULNESS APPS

Smiling Mind The Mindfulness App Breathe2Relax  Buddhist Meditation Trainer  Headspace 

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