Mindfulness

 

Many students find mindfulness a helpful way to deal with the day-to-day challenges of student life. It can be a challenge initially, and may not drastically change how you are feeling, that is okay. Mindfulness is about practice, and training your mind to think in a different way. We would recommend starting with short sessions, such as 2 to 10 minutes long as this can help in the beginning. The aim is not to be mindful or meditate for hours, but to engage in small practices throughout the day.

Students tell us that mindfulness makes a positive difference because:

  • They feel more resilient, more able to deal with pressure and overwhelm
  • Deadlines are met more easily and efficiently
  • Difficult decisions are reached more smoothly
  • Anxieties and worries have less ‘hold’ and diminish
  • Happier and calmer feelings come to the forefront
  • Life seems more enjoyable, satisfying and interesting.

Below are some exercises you can try to practice mindfulness;

Everyday mindfulness

Being mindful means being aware. It’s the opposite of forgetting – losing track of where you are, what you are doing; getting caught up and entangled inside your thoughts and feelings. Being aware is the first step to being yourself at your best. Being aware, you can make considered and creative choices in your day.

Here is one way you can practice mindful awareness in everyday life by engaging your sense;

  • Pause for a few moments in your chair or wherever you are
  • Look about you, notice what is around you.
  • Listen to the many sounds around you, far and near, quiet or loud.
  • Notice if you can smell anything, perhaps you are in a café and can smell the coffee.
  • Notice if you can taste anything.
  • Feel how your body feels and moves in a kind way, without trying to change it: it is just how it is right now and that is okay.
  • Sense into your feelings and emotions, without trying to solve or get lost in them.
  • Gently acknowledge what you find and allow them to pass.
  • As you go back to your usual activities, notice if you feel any different.

If you would like to practice mindfulness, you can also do so by guided meditation. Here is one we like to suggest;

2-minute video –

HeadSpace - Managing Anxious Thoughts with Mindfulness

10-minute video –

HeadSpace - Reset: Decompress Your Body and Mind

What support do we offer? 

Mindfulness can be used as a tool in sessions to help manage difficult thoughts, feelings and behaviours. You can  follow us on Instagram where we advertise our mindfulness workshops. 

Alternative Internal Support

You can access self-help through various University channels such as:

  • ShelfHelp, which provides eBooks or physical copies which can help you improve your interpersonal effectiveness and confidence.
  • Our Mindfulness Guide written by Dr Robina Boehnke

External Support

If you would like to access some self-help materials here are a list of alternative support resources.