If you are affected by stress, anxiety, depression, or you just want to learn to cope with your busy mind, mindfulness may be what you need. This intensive eight-week course in mindfulness-based stress reduction can transform your relationship with stress, improve your health, and increase your enjoyment of life. The next course begins in Knocknacarra on Tuesday evenings starting September 16.
The course is modelled on the internationally recognised stress reduction programme established by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre. Kabat-Zinn developed MBSR to help people deal with physical and psychological problems including anxiety and depression.
Much of our emotional distress involves thoughts, feelings, and fantasies about the past and the future. Ruminating endlessly over work, money, friends, and family is futile. This type of fretting simply gives a false sense of being in control. In fact, mentally gnawing over problems actually intensifies stress.
Mindfulness is a particular way of relating to our experiences that allows us to become free of unnecessary entanglements and to live more fully in the present. And it is a skill that can be learned. Each class teaches mind/body practices to become more ‘embodied’ in our life experience.
Anyone can benefit; there are no pre-requisite skills needed – only your commitment. Mindfulness is not suitable for those who are currently depressed, but if you have recovered from depression, the course will teach you the skills you need to stay well. Mindfulness is not easy — and it is not a quick fix — but the benefits are cumulative and can be life changing.
The course will be facilitated by Carmel Sheridan, a psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher. For details, visit www.mindfulnessgalway.ie or call 086 8185974.
