Mindfulness

Hi boatyard I don't have any experience with the app but it sounds interesting.

Mindfulness seems to be very much "in vogue" at the moment and I'm certain it must help a lot with anxiety and depression, several Gransnetters have posted about using it in past threads, so perhaps do a search.

I don't suffer from anxiety or depression but I feel very sorry for people who do, it must be awful if that is your constant companion.

Back to mindfulness - and I'm not knocking it - as I said I am certain that it works, I sort of think that I do mindfulness without realising it because I can "lose" myself in baking a cake, or sewing something, or working out a complicated knitting stitch (well complicated for me, because I'm not very good). Or going for a slow walk and letting my natural curiosity have me taking everything in, a bit like a dog sniffing its way along a path. So I always think of that sort of thing as my own version of mindfulness.

I think it was the author Marian Keyes who wrote a book about baking her way out of a depression - you can't help but being mindful when you have to pay attention e.g. to a recipe.

Hugs and good luck.

Yes it was Marian Keyes - she says "I veered off into baking cakes for almost a year".

www.theguardian.com/books/2013/apr/21/marian-keyes-depression-mercy-close-interview

The comments are interesting.

Not saying you must take up baking BTW Just chatting.

I tried a free version of Headspace and found it very good. I would also recommend yoga, if you can find a gentle teacher who talks you through wonderful relaxation at the beginning and end of classes, including visualisation and yoga nidra. My yoga class is a time just for myself - to concentrate on the asana, the breath and the body and no other thoughts come into the mind. Walking is very good for lifting depression if you have nice places in which to walk, getting out in the fresh air, accomplishing a walk, and looking around at our wonderful world. Take each day as it comes.

Yoga Nidra is amazing, but not all teachers do this. It's deep meditation and has really worked for me. It does take a while to get the hang of it, but it's definitely worth it if you can persevere. I thought nothing would help me meditate, but this is a great approach to it. I have a CD, but haven't needed to play it yet! If your mind wanders off (mine goes off all over the show!) or won't switch off, it teaches you how to incorporate that into the meditation.

I find going to art classes brilliant for that. We go for a whole day and it is amazing how utterly focused you become on what for me is a naff piece of art work but so enjoyable

Hello whitewave. I've been suffering from anxiety and depression for....well, longer than I care to remember, but it's ebbed and flowed over the years so definitely not present all of that time. I was an unhappy child and teenager and only found a certain peace and fulfilment during my 30s/40s and that was despite having a child with severe health problems (including mental health). It's really during the past 10 years that I've felt myself feeling so much worse - at a time of life when I could and should be able to relax and enjoy life. Instead I find that difficult, and feel very guilty because of it: others have very challenging and difficult lives and cope far better.
However, I don't want to hi-jack your thread by making this about me! I just wanted to give a bit of background.
You wondered about Headspace and Mindfulness. I've been on a couple of Mindfulness courses and I am firmly convinced that Mindfulness is the way to go. My problem is not being able to stick to daily meditation, but I am learning to be kind to myself and not judge so much for that.
I would say that it does definitely make a difference in the long term: there's a lot of evidence showing that it does, but you do actually have to do the Mindfulness meditations as often as possible (preferably daily) and be aware of being 'in the moment' at times during the day as well. I am finally beginning to notice a tiny difference, if only being aware of my feelings and how they affect my body and how I respond to them. I don't find it at all easy to live in the present moment; it's a journey, and I'm still learning. Feel free to PM me if you want to ask anything more or talk about how things are with you. Good luck and

Er - one more thing: the Headspace app is brilliant. I've done the freebie 10-a-day and signed up for a year. I've been doing it now for several months and intend to continue. It's a good habit to have!

Thank you for all your feedback,it really does help to chat to people who have the same problems and I feel I I have friends out there,I will continue with headspace

Boatyard I've been trying the headspace app for a few days and so far I think it's excellent.

I have quite a few similar apps. Andrew Johnson is good. And Mindifil.

Rowantree does the headspace app have different things on it or is it the same 10 mins everyday,I am doing the 10 day trial which is great but is the same everyday thanks

I am wondering if I have the right app. I searched 'Headspace' and up came Mindfulness Daily, which I am using.

I have paid £2.99 o unlock some longer versions of the meditations.
There is no indication at the moment that only the first ten days are free.

Rowantree do you think your one is the same as mine?

Boatyard - mine was similar each day but definitely not the same. It should be Andy Puddicombe doing it, otherwise it's probably not the same app.
Petalus - it does sound the same. I've subscribed for a year, but went over to the updated version recently so I don't know what the early free meditations were like in the new version.

The freebies are called 'Take 10'.

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