Stressed MPs take lessons in ‘mindfulness’
...even though they’ve had summer off and are starting a 3-week break
THEY have recently returned from a six- week summer break and are just starting another three weeks off.
It seems, however, that Westminster’s politicians are still struggling to relax.
Almost 200 of them have signed up for a course in mindfulness – the art of paying attention to your thoughts and surroundings in the present moment.
Parliament is offering a free eightweek programme focusing on relaxation, mental wellbeing and dealing with stress.
While politicians regularly have to take part in late votes, critics will point out that they have more favourable working conditions than many of those they represent. Parliament has just begun a three-week recess for the party conference season.
Many politicians have said they are sleeping better and achieving a better work-life balance after attending the course. One said: ‘I knew I had to do something about stress and work-life balance. Mindfulness never crossed my mind till I discovered the course and it is working for me.’
Weekly sessions are held in Portcullis House in the House of Commons and organised by the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group.
Labour MP Chris Ruane and Conservative MP Tim Loughton, a former education minister, are leading the initiative. The programme is taught by the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre. It states on its website: ‘If you are feeling generally “dissatisfied” with your life, have a sense of “missing out” on moments of pleasure and joy, or are experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood or recurrent depression, this course could help you.’
Mr Ruane and Mr Loughton have emailed staff working for MPs and peers with invitations to take part in the course. The email is also signed by Tracey Crouch, the Government’s minister for loneliness.
It states: ‘Some 185 Parliamentarians and 250 staff members have so far attended this course, which consists of eight sessions of 75 minutes. Whilst it’s beneficial to attend all eight sessions, it is certainly underhouse stood that this may not always be possible.’
It also contains anonymous testimonials from ‘some of the 185 MPs and peers who have attended mindfulness classes in Parliament in recent years’, saying how much the course has helped them.
One politician said: ‘ The mindfulness breathing techniques and practical exercises have helped me to cope much better with the stresses and strains of a highly demanding job and gain a better worklife balance.’
Another said: ‘ The course empowered me to reframe my life from insurmountable pressures and problems to tackling issues in proportion and finding an inner calm – restoring quality to every day.’ And another testimonial stated: ‘The classes have provided an oasis of calm and have sowed precious seeds... I would strongly recommend the course to anyone who believes that there is more to life than the next speech.’
Staff are told the lessons are free, and they are invited to make a donation to charity if they attend. The Oxford Mindfulness Centre charges for some courses, while others are funded purely by donations. It is not clear if the taxpayer is funding the free sessions for MPs.
The NHS says learning how to be more mindful can improve your mental wellbeing.