The next eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course will run in the Salthill Hotel on Tuesday evenings from September 15.
Why learn mindfulness? When you are mindful, you are able to pay attention to the present, without getting lost in judging it. This is especially important if you have trouble focusing or sleeping, or you often find yourself worrying about things.
There are many different things you can do to help yourself be more mindful.
Mindful breathing: Take a couple of minutes to focus on your breathing. When you are mindful of your breathing you pay attention to what breathing feels like, and what happens to different parts of your body as you breathe.
Be aware of what is happening and what you are feeling in the moment. Sometimes you like it, sometimes you dislike it, or are confused about it. Mindfulness helps you recognise passing thoughts and feelings without identifying with them. Let’s say something unpleasant happens. Do you become completely hijacked by it and spend your time judging it and replaying the event in your mind? As you become more mindful, you learn to notice the judgments, and unhook from them. You learn that you can choose what to focus on, and can incline your mind towards what is good and wholesome in your life, rather than always focusing on what is missing or what is wrong. You learn to be kinder towards yourself and others.
To register for the eight week mindfulness course, call 086 8185974 or visit www.mindfulnessgalway.ie
