Mindfulness

“I can use it in the workplace and even when sitting on a bus, I can calm myself”

Mindfulness can be described as ‘paying attention on purpose in the present moment without judgement.’ It is a way of understanding our thoughts, emotions, feelings and sensations so that instead of becoming overwhelmed by them, we manage them. Since 2013, Avenues has been offering ‘mindfulness in practice’ sessions to our employees.

The aim of the sessions we provide is to improve the emotional wellbeing of our employees, which in turn can improve the quality of individual relationships, and the effectiveness of the support they provide.

Over these monthly sessions, participants learn through experiencing and reviewing mindfulness exercises within a group setting. They discover how to use mindfulness in home and work life and investigate how to use mindfulness at times of emotional intensity.

Employees who have regularly joined our sessions report a number of positive changes, particularly around wellbeing at work and home as well as work performance.

“At first I was a bit confused if it would work, then after 2-3 sessions, I was really understanding and practicing it. It has made a tremendous difference in my personal and professional life”

“Now I have the ability to calm down in a difficult situation in order not to rush into things”

“It has made me think about the relationships with people and the way I communicate”

Below Avenues Mindfulness programme leader, Day Wells, answers some of the popular questions and misconceptions around Mindfulness…