“Talking Heads: The importance of mindfulness in a post-pandemic world” by Shereen Amarasekera
As we approach the next phase of the pandemic, we now need to adapt to a new normality. The past two years have been filled with unique and deeply personal experiences that have impacted the way we live and enjoy our day to day lives in various ways. Moving into this new chapter, whilst many may feel a renewed sense of hope and optimism, others may feel the transition back to reality and the stresses of everyday life will not be so straightforward.
Since taking a ‘real break’ has been a luxury hard to come by during the past 18 months, we’ve turned to small activities to help us summon calm. Mindfulness is one such tool, which has provided many of us with daily support over the past year and as we transition through this new period. Backed by a wealth of science and rooted in a commitment to support our physical and psychological wellbeing, reduce anxiety and improve attention levels – mindfulness is here to help us find our feet.
What is mindfulness you say? While it may seem like the buzzword for a flashy new wellness trend, mindfulness, in its simplest form, is what experts call ‘present-moment awareness’ – an ability to slow down your thoughts and pay attention to what’s going on both inside ourselves (how we’re feeling, emotionally and physically) and outside ourselves (the sights, scents and sounds of the world around us).
We know what you’re thinking... How is being mindful of the fact that you’re stressed (or angry) going to help you actually be less stressed (or angry)? Well, here’s the secret, according to Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of Headspace, it’s probably not - “it doesn't matter how much you meditate, difficult stuff still happens and we're still going to experience it, it's how we relate to it when it happens, and how long we hold onto it afterwards” says Andy.
It’s no easy feat. As humans, we have a natural tendency to do things on autopilot and juggle multiple lines of thought at once. However, by consciously slowing down and trying to pay attention, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves and our emotions, and more easily analyse and deconstruct harmful thought processes. US gymnast and four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles is the perfect example of this. Announcing her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Games to protect her mental health, she commented “We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do. We are not just athletes, we’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.”
Ultimately, the simple act of paying attention to your breath and slowing it down prompts a physical relaxation response that can help you manage the everyday stress of life. There’s also great evidence that moments of mindfulness sprinkled throughout the day are as useful as, if not even more beneficial than a single, longer session. This may be easier to commit to and it’s a commitment that will ultimately pay dividends when it comes to your stress levels and mental wellbeing. Whether it’s at your desk or while you walk down the street, you can do it anywhere - making it an easy habit to develop, and one that will boost your mind, body and soul.
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” Martin Luther King.