| At a time like this, it can be easy to focus on what’s going wrong, rather than what’s going right for you. There’s so much uncertainty in the world, but actually we all have a lot to be grateful for. Being positive and having gratitude is essential for our mental wellbeing. Gratitude It’s important to say that if you’re having a hard time feeling grateful right now, don’t feel bad about it. That’s totally understandable. Instead, give yourself some time to process your emotions and be kinder to yourself. None of us are at our best right now, but we’re sure you’re doing so much better than you realise. So, what’s the best way to focus on gratitude? Why not take note of all the things that make you smile throughout the day, either by writing them down or just mentally acknowledging them? We asked our Bootcampers for some examples of what they’re grateful for at the moment. Here’s what they suggested: The area they live in Not commuting Zoom Their faith Their pets Audiobooks Taking time off Bootcamp Less noise and air pollution Their homes Having a job Their loved ones Remember though – your list is likely to be very different and will change often, depending on many factors, including your mood, the weather, whether you’re having a good or bad day at work. Mindfulness In addition to gratitude, mindfulness can help us during particularly stressful times. This means paying attention to your experience in the present moment. It can involve a formal practice like sitting or lying down and focusing on your breath and body, or an informal practice, where you bring mindfulness to everyday activities. Paying attention to the breath is one helpful way of stepping out of our cycle of stressful thoughts and coming back into our bodies and senses. We can also practice awareness of sounds, or sensations in our hands or feet, or the sight of something outside such as a bird or tree. These are all examples of ‘mindfulness practices’ which help us come in to the present moment. One way to achieve mindfulness is through mediation, an approach to training the mind and relaxing that has benefits for relieving stress and anxiety. We’re pleased that we’ve started offering a weekly guided mediation as part of the online Bootcamp timetable. Looking after our bodies and minds has never been more important. |
May 4
Gratitude – how can it help you at the moment?
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