Splash - Minds First

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Starting this Wednesday 🧘‍♀️ Super excit

Starting this Wednesday 🧘‍♀️

Super excited to be starting the next Mindfulness for Well-being Course this Wednesday!

It’s really common to get caught up in our minds and if we leave the mind to it’s own devices, habitually it will spend much of the time flitting between the past and the future. This often leads us into some very unhelpful places. And in turn causes, contributes or maintains certain mental health difficulties, such as anxiety and depression. Or simply impact our day to day mood, affecting our relationships and enjoyment and engagement in our work and life.

Mindfulness is a mental health, mind/body practice that enables us to understand and navigate the mind a little more easily. We become more skilled at identifying our thoughts and emotions and in doing so we start to see patterns of thinking that might lead us to unhelpful behaviours or habits.

Mindfulness helps us to overcome fears, obstacles and self limiting beliefs. All things that often get in the way of us making the choices we really want to make and living the life we most desire.

By attending an 8 week mindfulness course, can expect to increase relaxation, feelings of calm, self compassion and confidence, whilst reducing levels of stress, anxiety, self criticism and low mood. You will learn to become more in-tune with yourself, your surroundings and the people in your life, resulting in better relationships and more balance. Meditation has also proven to reduce physical pain, lower blood pressure and improve your immune system.

Includes coaching in core mindfulness practice, CBT related exercises, and all audio recordings, to use for home practice, in between session.

For more info or to book a place please email kerry@mindsfirst.co.uk or call 07595 344126

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🌳 GROWTH THROUGH CREATIVITY 💫 Loved this p

🌳 GROWTH THROUGH CREATIVITY 💫

Loved this print in @ryan_cornelius_design office when I went to see him the other day about my website.

Studies have shown how mindfulness helps to reduce judgment and self criticism, which in turn is conducive to creativity 🙌

To create is to express yourself and I think expressing yourself helps you to connect with yourself, grow and feel free 🦅

I never used to necessarily think of myself as a creative person but since starting Minds First, one of the things I’ve realised I love the most, is to be creative! From making reels on Instagram to creating workshops and designing posts on @canva the freedom I have when it comes to creating and expressing myself through being self employed is something I love and feel grateful for each day.

From years of having a bit of a love/hate relationship with working in the NHS, I now realise and appreciate one of the things I find most hard or frustrating about that environment is the red tape and often feeling somewhat stunted in being free to do what you like. And certainly in such a fast paced and under resourced organisation, not having the freedom of time to be creative!

I’ve learnt that I don’t work well under pressure and strict time zones, nor am I suited to the 9-5 life….sometimes my best ideas come to me at 10pm at night or 6am in the morning.

Lots of exciting plans and ideas in the pipeline at Minds First that I can’t wait to start sharing with you soon 😬

What does growth through creativity mean to you? Let me know in the comments below👇

#creativity #createmore #creativitymatters #creativityforlife #creativityandgrowth #creativityandwellbeing #mindfull #mindfulliving #mindfullness #personalgrowthjourney #expressyourself #connectwithyourself #feelfree #freedomfighter #creativelifehappylife #breakthemould #beyourselfalways #growintoyourself #truetoyourself #mindfulnessteacher #selfemployedlife #selfemployment #selfemployedwomen #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinessuk #nottinghamshire #nottslife #mindfulnessmatters #wellnessbusiness @ryan_cornelius_design 🙏

Are you interested in finding out about mindfulnes

Are you interested in finding out about mindfulness and giving it a go? Perhaps you’re considering joining the next 8 week Mindfulness for Well-being Course but are feeling unsure and want to have a taste before committing?

Then why not Join my Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop this Wednesday evening!

You’ll learn about what mindfulness is and some of the wonderful benefits it can offer, as well as being guided through two mindfulness meditations - a lovely dose of midweek relaxation 🧘‍♀️

8-9pm live online over Zoom
Cost: £5.00
To book: See link in bio

Looking forward to seeing you there 😊

Any questions drop me a DM or email kerry@mindsfirst.co.uk

#mindfulness #mindfulnessmeditation #mindfulnessandmentalhealth #mentalhealth #meditate #introduction #introductiontomindfulness #workshop #onlineworkshop #tastersession #learnmindfulness #learntomeditate #health #wellbeing #mindsfirst #selfcompassion #calm #relaxation #breathe #youtime #pause #connect #stop #healthymind #mindbodyconnection #mindfulnessteacher #occupationaltherapist #mentalhealthprofessional #anxiety #anxietyrelief

The theme of this years Mental Health Awareness We

The theme of this years Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness.

In support of the #ivebeenthere initiative by @mentalhealthfoundation I wanted to share my personal experiences.

I think loneliness is one of the hardest feelings we can experience in life. We come from tribes. We thrive from connection and meaningful relationships. We simply weren’t made to be alone. So in that sense, when we find ourselves experiencing loneliness as a direct result of our circumstances, whether that’s from living alone, being single, or having no friends, this can understandably contribute to mental health difficulties.

However, whilst loneliness can contribute to mental health problems, mental health problems can also increase your chances of feeling lonely.

For me personally I can relate to both of these.

As a girl in my mid 30’s, I never thought I’d be single. In fact when I was younger I just assumed I’d be married and have kids by my early to mid 30’s, so I am not ashamed to admit that I have and still do at times, experience feelings of loneliness as a direct result of this.

However, I think the most significant experiences of loneliness for me, have been as a direct result/symptom of depression. When I have been experiencing depression, I feel deeply alone despite being surrounded by family and friends who love me.

And this is one of the cruelest things I think depression does to a person. Almost a false sense of loneliness and isolation. However just like a high temperature is a symptom of the the flu, feelings of loneliness can be a symptom of depression.

I think it probably comes down to a strong sense of disconnection from yourself, that spills over to how you feel around other people. The relentless negative self talk and feeling like a burden to everyone weighs heavy.

One of the things that breaks my heart the most in life is that it’s estimated that most suicides are triggered by severe depression.

This is one of the reasons I’m choosing to run 50 miles in May for @samaritanscharity . A phone line that’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so that there is always someone to talk to for anyone who feels alone.

To donate 👉 see link in bio 🙏

I’ve just finished a silent mindfulness retreat

I’ve just finished a silent mindfulness retreat day as part of my MBCT teacher training and can’t believe how impactful and enjoyable these silent experiences are. Whilst they’re a fundamental part of being a mindfulness teacher and sometimes lead to thoughts of “oh no do I really have to do a few of these a year etc” type thoughts….a bit like dreading exercise but then feeling great afterwards, is the same experience that I have with these silent days.

Part of today’s retreat day involved a silent mindful walk outside, around the university grounds. I couldn’t believe how incredibly grateful, happy and serine the simplicity of a slow walk in the sunshine felt. I found a lake and watched a beautiful swan for a while, noticed the sound of my shoes on the pavement as I walked, felt the cool breeze on my skin and the warmth of the sun. I noticed the range of colours, vibrant greens and the white and yellow daisies. Like a child I picked up a dandelion and gently blew it. A mindful moment of magic 💫

It felt so good to not have my phone with me too as as much as I wanted to take photos of everything I was enjoying, instead i was just immersed in it instead (this pic was taken by my car on the way home 😂!)

The older I get and further into my mindfulness journey, the more I realise that it really is the small things in life (that money can’t buy) that matter the most.

Have you experienced any mindful moments recently? Let me know in the comments below👇 Or could you maybe seek some out this bank holiday weekend ☺️

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