0 items - £0.00
Donate
I need help urgently
Talking Therapies
Mental Health Directory
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Information Resources
    • Mind information
    • Mental Health Videos
    • Talking Therapies
      • Helplines
    • Online Support
      • Mental Health Resource Directory
      • Side by Side Online
      • Big White Wall
    • Community Networks
    • Crisis Support
  • How we can help
    • Supporting Minds
      • Supporting Minds ~ our weekly programme
    • Training & Employment Skills
      • Community Sheds
    • Peer Support
  • Training & Development
  • Get Involved
  • News
  • Contact Us
Kensington & Chelsea Mind

Office 1,
7 Thorpe Close,
London
W10 5XL 

020 8964 1333
[email protected]
Copyright © 2018 C27 Media
en English▼
X
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish
020 8964 1333 [email protected]
Donate
I need help urgently
Talking Therapies
Mental Health Directory
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Information Resources
    • Mind information
    • Mental Health Videos
    • Talking Therapies
      • Helplines
    • Online Support
      • Mental Health Resource Directory
      • Side by Side Online
      • Big White Wall
    • Community Networks
    • Crisis Support
  • How we can help
    • Supporting Minds
      • Supporting Minds ~ our weekly programme
    • Training & Employment Skills
      • Community Sheds
    • Peer Support
  • Training & Development
  • Get Involved
  • News
  • Contact Us

Recent News

  • What is Mindfulness?
  • Introduce the 5 Ways to Wellbeing into your life
  • Be extra kind to yourself this Christmas
  • Coping with Christmas
  • How we’ve been supporting people during the pandemic

News Archive

  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018

What is Mindfulness?

‘Take notice’ is one step of the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ programme, which is designed to help improve your mental and physical health. One way of taking notice is to practice mindfulness.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a technique that teaches you to take notice of the present moment, and to be aware of what’s happening in your mind, your body or your surroundings. Mindfulness and meditation originates from some of the Eastern philosophies, such as Buddhism, but you don’t have to be spiritual or have any specific beliefs to practice it.  

Practicing mindfulness techniques can help you to:

  • Become more aware of yourself
  • Ease stress and feel calmer
  • Control how you react to certain feelings
  • Cope with difficult thoughts
  • Be kinder to yourself.

Many people who practice mindfulness say they notice the positive effects it has in their daily lives; it really can help to improve your overall wellbeing, but it can’t solve everything. Look on the Mind website to find out if mindfulness is right for you.

Mindfulness exercises

Here are a couple of exercises that Mind suggest trying…

Body scan. This is where you move your attention slowly through different parts of the body, starting from the top of your head moving all the way down to the end of your toes. You could focus on feelings of warmth, tension, tingling or relaxation of different parts of your body.

Mindful eating. This involves paying attention to the taste, sight and textures of what you eat. For example, when drinking a cup of tea or coffee you could focus on how hot and liquid it feels on your tongue, how sweet it tastes or watch the steam that it gives off.

Mindful moving, walking or running. Notice the feeling of your body moving. You might notice the breeze against your skin, the feeling of your feet or hands against different textures on the ground or nearby surfaces, and the different smells that are around you.

(Source: mind.org.uk)

Practice is the key word

When trying these exercises, don’t punish yourself if your mind starts to wander. Just acknowledge the thoughts without judgment, then bring your focus back to the present and start again. In time and with more practice, you should find it easier to complete the exercise.  

Different techniques work for different people, so if you don’t find one exercise useful, try another. You can also try adapting them so that they suit you and are easier to fit in with your daily life.

The Mind website has lots more information about mindfulness, including helpful videos and pointers to help with your practice. Find out more.

 

Author: Stewart Gillespie
Posted on: 18th February 2021

Mental Health Directory

Search our Mental Health Directory for mental health support services in Kensington & Chelsea Find out more

Side by Side

It’s a powerful thing to connect with someone else over shared experiences. Side by Side is an online community where you can listen, share and be heard. Find out more

Young Minds

The voice of young people's mental health and wellbeing. Find out more

Contact Us

Kensington & Chelsea Mind

Office 1,
7 Thorpe Close,
London
W10 5XL 

020 8964 1333
[email protected]

Get Social

  • Twitter
Mind

© 2021 Kensington & Chelsea Mind
Registered in England 2597728
Charity No. 1002986

Website Design © 2021 C27 Media Ltd

X
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok