Keep calm and mindful

The All Party Parliamentary Group report ‘ Mindful Nation UK’ has emphasised the benefits of mindfulness to improve well- being.

The report promotes the provision of training in mindfulness in the health service, education sector and other workplaces as well as training in the community.

Mindfulness in Ayrshire is a group of four mindfulness teachers living locally who have been providing courses within the NHS and other support organisations.

We found ourselves being approached for help. As a result we have joined together to form a new locally based

company ‘ Mindfulness in Ayrshire’ to offer these courses more widely in the community, local organisations and workplaces. Mindfulness helps if you:

• Constantly mull over the past, worry about the future or get lost in daydreaming?

• Go through the day on ‘ autopilot’?

• Have feelings of not being good enough?

• Are quick to judge others, or to over- react in certain situations?

• Feel stressed, frantic or anxious.

Mindfulness means maintaining a moment by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and our surroundings.

It involves paying attention to our thoughts and feelings without immediately using the labels ‘ good’, ‘ bad’, ‘ right’ or ‘ wrong’.

There is significant research showing that mindfulness is helping people live a more fulfilled and contented life. It is being used in health, education, local authority, business, prison and military settings.

Research shows that mindfulness can:

• Increase levels of happiness and contentment • Reduce stress and anxiety

• Manage chronic pain

• Improve physical and mental wellbeing

• Improve memory and concentration

• Boost immune function Mindfulness in Ayrshire is offering the Mindful Based Living Course in venues across Ayrshire.

• Delivered by professionally trained and experienced teachers

• Comprehensive notes and audio support materials of the practice exercises are provided.

• Developed by the Mindfulness Association in conjunction with the University of Aberdeen

• Afternoon and evening classes available

• Introductory session (£ 10 refundable if registering for the full course)

• 8 weekly 2 hour sessions plus one full day with lunch

• Follow- up session

• Cost for full Course and materials: £ 200

• Limited concessionary places may be available. Please feel free to talk to us at the

Introductory Sessions or contact us, see details below.

Most of those who have attended the 8- week Mindfulness Based Living Course ( MBLC) locally say they feel more contented and less reactive by the end of the course.

Individuals have told us that the course has ‘ transformed their lives’, helped ‘ change their relationships for the better’.

It has helped them to live more fully in the present, dealing with troubling thoughts and feelings with greater skill and compassion.

It has also helped some to cope better with challenging emotional and physical circumstances.

There are venues and dates in August and Septmber and to find out more or to book a place, contact the Ayrshire team at enquiries@ mindfulness- in- ayrshire. me or visit www. mindulness- inayrshire. me.

It has helped them to live more fully in the present, dealing with troubling thoughts and feelings with greater skill