This program is designed so that you can build all the internal resources you need for a happier and more stress free life with simple to use techniques that do not require a dedicated meditation practice.
Each of the 2 hour sessions contains a mix of engaging discussion and theory, practical tips and guidance, exercises to try, Q&A and supported home practice – all tailored to meet your needs.
The next program starts on Tuesday 24th September. 7-9pm at Reflex Wellbeing and Therapy, Stoke Prior – Limited places – click below for details and to reserve your place.
This session is devoted to introductions. It begins with an introduction to the program and an explanation how the program works. Then we will explore the concept of mindlessness: Mindless life, the attention crisis, and resulting emotional and cognitive overload. This serves as the groundwork for the following segments which introduce the concept of meditation and make a distinction between different types of meditation.
This session explores the concept and practice of mindfulness and its benefits. It begins by defining mindfulness, and unpacking its qualities, and goes on to offer guidance how to practice mindfulness meditation, and presence in everyday life. It then reviews the research on the benefit of mindfulness. The session ends with a discussion around common challenges in practicing mindfulness to help keep you on track.
This session discusses the concept of well-being with a mindful exploration of the concept of well-being and its components. We then examine an important component of well-being: Happiness, including what promotes and what undermines our happiness and well-being. The session ends by bringing together mindfulness and well-being and exploring mindful living: How the practice of mindfulness promotes well-being.
Relationships significantly affect well-being, both positively and negatively. In this session we explore different aspects of relationships, with the aim of understanding what makes a positive, high-quality relationship. We will explore the key components of relationships and the factors that affect the quality of them. It then goes on to explore the impact of relationships on our well-being and happiness and closing by exploring loving kindness as a value and attitude.
We all face stressful situations in our lives, yet many of us find it difficult to cope with stress. In this session we focus on understanding the common sources of stress in our lives, our reactions when stressful situations occur, and how mindfulness can ease our stress response. We will examine the difference between mindless reaction and mindful response to stress, and how a mindful response to stress can reduce and potentially eliminate our stress symptoms. The session closes with the topic of coping and the centrality of self-care in our coping response.
Depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders today, with both showing a steady increase globally in the past 3 decades. In this session we explore both, with the aim of understanding the role that emotions play in these disorders, what triggers them, and how mindfulness can help us cope better when they emerge. The session closes with a mindful approach to coping with depression and anxiety, and the importance of self-care.
Chronic pain and sleep disturbances are highly common today, with the connection between body and mind featuring strongly in both. In this session we explore these common disorders with the aim of understanding the role that body awareness (and lack of) plays in these disorders, what triggers them, and how mindfulness can help us reduce their symptoms and manage their chronic manifestations. The session ends with an exploration of the ways in which mindfulness practice can help us manage these disorders.
This session is devoted to concluding the program. It begins with a review of all the topics and practices covered in the program, followed by giving you a space to reflect on your personal journey. You will be offered further guidance on how to continue and deepen your practice, how to handle challenging times, plus we’ll explore the power of gratitude. and ending with a farewell exercise.
