Features · Mind full or mindful?
Mindful Apps
Calm
is your MIND
you
FULL or are
mindful?
Are you mindful or mind full? For many of us it’s the latter. Statistics show that 1 in 5 UK
adults are affected by work related stress, anxiety or depression while 50% of adults will
spend their time worrying about the past and future.
F
or many of us, the thought of having
one minute of the day to simply breathe
and unwind often falls nothing short
of a fantasy. In fact, we have become so
permanently occupied that our brains are now
crammed and saturated. So when we do have
time for ourselves, we end up unconsciously
binging on unnecessary information like ‘this
man can fit 500 pegs on his face’ or ‘woman
eats cheeseburger in one bite and dies.’
When our minds are full, it becomes much
harder for us to be mindful. Instead, we are
mentally absent and distracted from the
wonders of life, preventing ourselves from
experiencing the ‘here and now.’ So, how do
we become less mind full and more mindful?
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is one of the most basic skills
known to mankind and offers us the chance to
find peace in a frantic world. It is the ability to
be present, in this moment, and aware of what
is happening right here and right now.
Being mindful means to pay attention on
3
purpose and to appreciate; appreciate our lives
and what we have, rather than always rushing.
Mindful psychotherapist, Nigel Wellings,
suggests that to recognise mindfulness we
must slow down, watch our breath, our
physical sensations and the emotions felt in
our body.
“Every time you become distracted by your full
mind, notice this and bring yourself back - over
and over again,” adds Nigel. “As concentration
grows, calm and insight begins to unfold, this
is mindfulness.”
So, how can we escape from our hectic heads
and embrace the mindful mindset? It’s simple
really, and Nigel has only one top tip:
“Practice, practice, practice with lots of
kindness.”
Anyone can learn to be more mindful, it just
takes time to adjust. Find a quiet space, grab a
book, meditate, or simply take a breather.
ways to stay mindful
A minute of silence
Take
a minute out of each day to
Don’t forget to breathe. Breathing
gather and collect your thoughts.
exercises can be a great way to
Silence is not the absence of
help you regain and centre your
sound, it is the absence of self.
awareness and attention.
Breathe
The Calm App
is an excellent
way for the
busiest person
to instantly transport
themselves to a relaxing
state of mind. Take five
minutes out of your day
and listen to the waves of
the ocean or rain hitting
rainforest leaves. This app
makes meditation simple
and easy. With a range
of different settings, it’s
perfect for anyone looking
to take a few minutes out
of their day to unwind.
Bonus - the app is free to
download and works on
phones, laptops and PCs.
Headspace
This is a guided
meditation app
that fits in with
busy lives. For beginners,
the 10-steps feature offers
an intuitive introduction
to meditation. Your
friendly instructor Andy
will take you through the
practice, so you know
you are in safe hands. His
soothing voice opens up
the world of mindfulness
when you need a moment
to clear your head.
Outside of learning, one is
drawn to how user friendly
and minimalistic the app
is. We particularly loved
the quirky animations! All
in all, this app is simple,
and only takes minutes
out of your day. You
have to give it time, but
there is no question that
Headspace will help if you
will let it.
Digital Break
It is said that on average we check our phones
85 times a day. Start the day with a clear mind.
Try not to check your phone first thing in the
morning and reduce the amount of times you
check it during the day.
Mindspace Magazine · Issue 01 ·
7