Practising mindfulness does not need to be a complicated or intense process, it could be something as simple as noticing the smells in the air, the sounds around you or even the sensation of sitting where you are.
It could also be a focus on you and how you are feeling, notice things about yourself such as how you are feeling, what you are thinking.
Click here to find out more about the links between autism and mindfulness.
When practicing mindfulness, you accept what and how you are feeling and thinking in that moment without judging yourself, your behaviour, your thoughts, or emotions.
A simple five-minute mindfulness session added to your daily or weekly routine can have a number of positive effects on your mental and physical wellbeing.
Some of these can include:
Mental health
The practice of mindfulness helps you to become more aware of our feelings and thoughts. This can help you to identify your feelings and their triggers which can help you to learn to manage your emotions better.
Managing emotions and reactions
Being more self-aware can help you to identify what causes you to feel a certain way. Understanding this, can help you to be better prepared to manage your reactions and, if needed, create strategies to help you cope better.
Calmness
Mindfulness can help to calm your mind and reduce feelings of panic and anxiety. This can be particularly helpful if you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
The ‘happy hormone’
Being aware of how you are feeling, and accepting these feelings, helps to promote a sense of calmness. This signals the brain to release Dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel happy.
Improved sleep
Feeling calm and relaxed allows the body and mind to go into a deeper sleep faster, giving you a more peaceful and restorative sleep.
Take some time to focus on yourself and try a quick mindfulness session.
Click here to try a quick mindfulness session from Headspace.
If you are having thoughts about harming yourself or suicide, it is important to speak to someone, contact one of the services below and get some help:
Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through you can call us any time, from any phone for free on:
116 123
SHOUT
The UK’s first 24/7 crisis text service, provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope. This service is free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis, anytime.
Text SHOUT to 85258.
Central Access Point
If you are in need of urgent NHS mental health support, you should call the Mental Health Central Access Point which is open 24/7.
Call: 0808 800 3302
