Anyone do mindfulness? Any tips newbie

[granadagirl]

Hi
I’m trying to start to have another go at mindfulness,
Do you just listen to mindfulness meditation over and over, and it starts to happen? You start to not think of the past/future
Surely it not that easy I’m sure

So how do I get into start making this happen?

I’ve suffered so much with anxiety/depression over 40 years of having it, my life as become smaller
Because of it

Any tips,advice would be very welcome

I use Headspace and also see a counsellor.

It’s just about checking in with yourself and how you are, but not trying to change it if that makes sense?

So one excercise I do starts with feet on the floor, hands on knees and a minute or two of deep breathing. I then check in with my thoughts, not really focusing on them just letting them come and go. This bit is hard for me and I’m still practicing!

Then check your breathing - is it fast/slow? Deep/shallow? Any is fine, and you don’t have to change it just acknowledge it.

Next I do a body scan so starting at the top of my head I work down my whole body, noticing any tensions or feelings. Sometimes they’re ok feelings, sometimes not and again it’s just acknowledging that’s how I feel right now and not trying to change it.

It’s just about checking in with yourself really. It does take practise and it’s really normal for your mind to wander, but it’s helping my anxiety.

I do yoga which helps with mindfulness; I have one of those brains that's perpetually 500mph and yoga has forced me to take 30 minutes each day to absolutely slow it down.

Lots of repetitive breathing practise, lots of acknowledgement of how I'm feeling and it does get better in time.

Headspace app is brilliant. Daily 10 minute meditations. I followed them and felt much calmer and reacted better to stress.

I have read this book: Mindfulness by Mark Williams and think its brilliant. The guided meditations come on a CD but you can also do them on youtube. This is an eight week course where you do the same mediation for a week and them move on to the next one.

www.amazon.co.uk/Mindfulness-practical-guide-finding-frantic/dp/074995308X?tag=mumsnetforum-21

In my area you can go to mindfulness classes but I haven't done that yet.