Online mindfulness courses are being provided for residents in Salford who are not in paid employment and suffer from, pain, stress, anxiety or seasonal affective disorder.
The course is hosted by Breathworks, a Manchester-based international charity dedicated to helping people living with illness, pain and stress to “re-claim” their lives.
The six-week online course will commence every Monday afternoon 2-4pm starting December 2, and will end on January 13 (with a week break for Christmas and new year).
The course includes mindful awareness meditations, tailored to managing pain and ill health.
Daily life exercises and strategies are included to help pacing for improved quality of life, drawing on a wide-ranging toolkit of skills and practices for ongoing use.
This course can particularly help those who experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD is sometimes known as “winter depression” because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter but some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter, according to the NHS.
Statistically, between one and five people in 100 in the UK are thought to experience SAD.
According to Breathworks, the disorder usually first begins between the ages of 20 to 30 but it can develop at any age, and is likely to affect four times as many women as men and often runs in families.
“Mindfulness is crucial to reduce symptoms and stress, especially during this time of year.
A Breathworks spokesperson stated: “While the course is not specifically focusing on SAD, it has been shown to help relieve low-level depression and anxiety symptoms, for example by learning to recognise and acknowledge feelings without judgement, which can reduce the intensity of negative emotions associated with SAD.”
Prof Lance McCracken, Professor of Behavioural Medicine, King’s College, London, added: “When we can’t change our circumstances, we have to change ourselves. You can train your brain to stop sabotaging your quality of life. This course will help you do that.”
More information can be found via Breathworks Mindfulness page here.
* For bookings and information contact Karen at Karen.levin@breathworks.co.uk or book directly here
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