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What is ‘Mindfulness’?
According to the NHS, mindfulness is the act of paying more attention to the present moment, to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you. It is believed that being more mindful of your surroundings can improve your mental wellbeing by reducing stress, helping you to enjoy life and improve your mood.
Mindfulness involves different activities and practices that can be done at home and at work, by yourself or with the whole family.
These activities range from meditation and quiet reflection, to listening to music and partaking in simple recreational tasks intended to boost your mood.
Charity Mind UK state that the practice of mindfulness helps you to:
- become more self-aware
- feel calmer
- manage stress and your feelings
- be kinder towards yourself.
Everyone can benefit from mindfulness to lead happy lives.
Mood Self-Assesment Quiz
Here is a short quiz created by the NHS to assess your mood and mindfulness.
Apps
This list has been compiled by St John’s Winchester after a ‘test drive’ by a few of the team members. Please note that we have produced this list for ease of access. We advise you to check the suitability of each App and its features based on your needs. Most Apps are free to download from Apple iOS and Android App Stores. Please be aware of potential in-app purchases.
[Information accurate as of April 2020]
Insight Timer
- Over 30,000 free courses – one of the largest online libraries for meditation and classes.
- Thousands of free music tracks and stories to help you relax and get a good night’s sleep
- Helpful section dedicated for children and teenagers, so it can be used by the whole family
Cost: Free to use up to 30,000 courses, but if you choose to opt for premium access it is at a cost of £60/year
Calm
- The app plays soothing background music (such as falling rain, crackling fireplace, crickets, or ‘white noise’)
- Flexible courses and sessions are available for beginner and intermediate levels
- Calm offers guided ‘Daily Calm’ sessions, which help you unwind and refocus your attention
Cost: Free seven-day trial course of guided-meditation exercises, then a cost of £28.99/year
Headspace
- The app uses unique animated illustrations
- Sessions are narrated by co-founder Andy Puddicombe (who is also a Buddhist monk)
- Offers bite-sized courses, including a one-minute breathing exercise
Cost: Free to download, then there is an optional subscription option of £9.99/month, £44.99/year to access premium features.
List of Useful Websites
Here is a handy list of website with more information about mindfulness. Please press the ‘thumbs up’ if you found useful information on the sites.
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