Wellbeing Week 2022: Tuesday – Take notice

Reminding yourself to take notice can strengthen and broaden your awareness. Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your wellbeing, and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities. Heightened awareness also enhances your self-understanding and allows you to make positive choices based on your own values and motivations. Check out Mind’s Five ways to wellbeing for more information.

Meditation classes

The Brighton Buddhist centre teach two types of meditation practice – the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana. Both are a brilliant way to explore meditation with others, guided by an experienced teacher.

They offer regular drop-in meditation classes. All drop-ins are in-person and donations are welcome.

As part of Wellbeing week the University is running a number of mediation and mindfulness activities:

• Today 15 November, Meditation and Mindfulness 1:30-2:20pm free entry and no booking required – Room 202, Grand Parade, City campus CANCELLED due to staff illness.
• Wednesday 16 November, Colour Therapy and Mindfulness – 2-3pm free entry, email to book your place. Room 808, Cockcroft, Moulsecoomb.
• Wednesday 16 November, Meditation led by Joanna Gilbert, Voluntary Catholic Faith Advisor, Faith and Spirituality Team – 12-12:45pm free entry and no booking required. Room 311, Watts building, Moulsecoomb.

Mindfulness apps

If you would like some guidance on meditation, then why not consider the Headspace app? There is a free version of the app where you can learn to meditate, guided through the process, accessible wherever you are. There are also lots of students deals where you can access hundreds of meditations related specifically to study.

Looking for support with sleep, mediation and relaxation? The Calm app might be for you. They have a free version of the app which gives you access to a number of meditations.

InsightTimer has over 100,000 free guided meditations to offer support around sleep, anxiety, stress, self-compassion and mindful eating.

Want some daily happiness reminders? Download the Action for Happiness app and get helpful daily notifications. It’s like having a little personal action coach in your pocket who gives you friendly ‘nudges’ with an action idea each day; sends you inspiring messages to give you a boost; and helps you connect & share ideas with like-minded people.

Books and ebooks

The University Library has a range of books available which focus upon mindfulness. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the benefits of taking more notice and different ways this can be done. The books are free and easily accessible. We also have a wide range of e-books available on Mindfulness so why not check these out from the comfort of home!

Yoga

Yoga is a great way to take a break from work and study, get out of your thinking mind and move your body in ways that cultivate strength and enable relaxation. Sport Brighton run regular yoga classes starting at just £3 or there are some great Youtube Videos that you can follow at home – whether you’re a beginner or a master yogi!

This week you can enjoy yoga, woodland walk and forest bathing – 16 November 10am-12pm for £2, book via Sport Brighton.

Take Notice Everyday

We really believe in the benefits of becoming more mindful in your everyday life but understand that formal practice such as meditation or yoga might seem quite difficult. Why not try some of the below ideas on how you can incorporate mindfulness into your day with very small acts, which all eventually add up.

1. Go for a walk and pick out something new you notice.
2. Take a picture of something in your home and notice any differences you see in the image to real life.
3. Find five items you had forgotten about in your bedroom.
4. Describe your kitchen without using colours or shapes.
5. Put your bare feet on a rug for two minutes and notice how it feels.
6. Count how many times you press the remote button when changing between programmes.
7. Think about how your skin feels against the different fabrics of your clothes.
8. Eat a meal as if it were the first time you were eating it- how does it taste?
9. Brush your hair and try to notice the different feelings when the brush touches your scalp and different parts of your hair.
10. Find the lyrics to a song and read along whilst playing the song. Spotify lets you do this easily 🙂

 

Check out the full event schedule of Wellbeing Week 2022