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With the exam season approaching it is important that you include self-care in your preparation for these. It has been shown that ‘emotional state’ has a considerable impact on your ability to study, and your memory and cognitive functioning required for the exam itself.
This event will introduce you to practical, easy to use, ways to enhance your physical and mental wellbeing, increase your ability to handle stress and improve mood. Here’s your chance to be kind to yourself and to create a nurturing space. We can’t wish away the struggles of everyday life, but we can increase our ability to cope, and strength to face our challenges.
1:00 am to 4:00 pm – at the Lancaster University Chaplaincy.
Mindfulness is about learning to focus and quiet the mind. We will be doing guided mindfulness, breathing and bodywork during the day. There is compelling evidence to suggest that these activities can bring about a wide range of benefits in physical and emotional health, and social functioning.
Yoga is a combination of gentle mindful movement, posture and stretching that has been shown to have extensive physical and mental health benefits. The afternoon will include very gentle mindful movement.
In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in the use of mindfulness-based approaches. Research has shown efficacy for depression, anxiety, stress, pain relief, eating problems, substance use and many other areas. It has also been shown to improve emotional and cognitive functioning, work performance and creativity.
There is considerable evidence to suggest that mindfulness can support students in higher education. It can help students cope with pressure, improve mental health, promote wellbeing and mitigate stress; promote learning, memory consolidation and recall. Using mindfulness before exams can help students feel more positive and confident. For social work in particular there is growing support for mindfulness in social work education and practice.
Mindfulness increases resilience and wellbeing through developing enhanced emotional and thinking skills. This event will give participants a practical introduction to mindfulness, breath and bodywork skills, and guidance on continuing practice.
- Simple mindfulness meditation practices to focus and quiet the mind
- Learn how to meditate through a set of guided practices
- Breathing and focusing to help calm and centre
- Movement and postures that can help settle emotions and feel more grounded
- Guidance to enable you to continue to practice
While mindfulness and bodywork draw on the wisdom of a range of spiritual traditions, the practices we will be doing, are part of the secular, ‘scientific’ mindfulness tradition, based on psychological principles and need not conflict with any existing beliefs. Please note that this is an experiential session and most of the time will be spent doing mindfulness and bodywork practices.
- Bring water and a (yoga or other) mat to lie on
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allow movement
- Have clothing layers to allow for the weather (we’ll be into spring but you never know!)
- There will be a short break – there will be tea/coffee; bring a herbal teabag if you prefer
- Be prepared to keep your phone off for the whole day until 4:00 pm. Remember this is a ‘spa afternoon’ for your mind where you disengage from everyday concerns and give yourself some nurturing space
Please note there is room capacity limit and this event open to all social work, sociology and MCS students. So, it is essential that you register your place. Here’s a link to sign up.