Mindfulness teaches you the skill of noticing thoughts, feelings and impulses at their beginning stages before they have become so big that you act on them or become overwhelmed by them in a reactionary way that doesn’t feel within your control. Noticing at this early stage creates space for the thinking brain (frontal cortex) to come online, giving you more chance to use your own conscious choice instead of being a slave to your reactions or behaving in a way (shouting and snapping, staying in bed all day, overeating, drinking too much etc) that you regret after.
It teaches this noticing along with self-kindness so that upon noticing, you do not then use what you find to berate yourself. If you are caught in a cycle of judging yourself for getting lost to anxiety or shouting at someone when you were angry or partaking in that habit you long to give up, change is more difficult. This self-care / kindness can feel alien but is a very un-selfish skill to learn as it can give you more resilience and presence allowing you to be there for others and have more fulfilling relationships.
Mindfulness can change the way the brain processes pain, resulting in the reduction of chronic pain and the mental suffering that often accompanies it. It can also change the ‘negativity bias’ in the brain to make you feel happier and more positive.
The way you breathe can tell you a lot about what is going on inside you, for you. It can alter your internal state to create stress hormones in the body or create a sense of safety and calm.
Mindfulness can also give you a way to come into your being mode, (the mode associated with relaxation, digestion, quality sleep, playfulness, spontaneity and intimacy) when you have become stuck in the stress or achievement modes which feel more on the go. This can be very helpful if you struggle to switch off or sleep, have trouble spending time with others because of the sense you should still be ‘doing’ something, or require a vice to help switch off.
Nicola Hare trained in 2014 to become a teacher with Breathworks and offers a tailored one-to-one 8-week mindfulness course here at The Clinic. If you would like to book on to learn these skills and more, please contact Nicola on 07493737238 or email Nicolahare175@gmail.com.
Rates are £35 per session x 8 £280 payable in two amounts of £140 at weeks 1 and 5.
A free consultation in person or via Skype can also be arranged if you are unsure if a mindfulness course is for you.
