BALANCE ‘ME TIME’ WITH BEING SOCIABLE

Some experts are warning that practising mindfulness can make us selfish – but Emma says we just need to be more self-aware

Lockdown has seen us grow used to our own company, and while this has been important, it has also created a level of introspection that could, taken to the extreme, be counterproductive. I often recommend mindful practice as a way of remaining in the present and ensuring a good level of self-care. It enables you to avoid fears around your future, and to let go of your past, which is helpful as you cannot control either, and trying to only leads to unhappiness and anxiety. But new research has suggested that being too dedicated to the practice can lead you to become more selfish, serious and introspective, as opposed to compassionate, community-minded and loving. Any spiritual exercise can make you feel that you have all you need within yourself to cope.

This is brilliant on one level, but if it means that you don’t socialise or keep up with friendships, then over time you will find yourself disconnected from the people who bring meaning to your life. Now is the time to start concentrating on your wider world and getting back out there when social opportunities come up. Research tells us that the happiest people are those who contribute to their local community through volunteering, as being altruistic and having a positive impact makes us feel good so, while you should keep using mindfulness as part of your coping tool kit, try to spread some of that positive energy into the world around you by engaging with your friends, family and wider community.