Welcome to Mindfulness Newlyn’s First Newsletter.

I hope that everyone is safe and well.

I thought I would introduce myself in my first newsletter and tell you a bit about myself and how I have managed during these times of uncertainties with ongoing changes.

Although I work full time I realised that many around me were anxious and concerned about how everything was going to affect them during the pandemic; this is what struck me before the initial lockdown.

I reflected about my neighbours for which many are retired and elderly; my thoughts were if my colleagues and friends are anxious then my neighbours are probably feeling very vulnerable with many not being as physically active as they once were.

Whilst at home this prompted me to set up a community network incorporating 206 homes and introduced my neighbours to each other for support such as phone calls, picking up groceries and possibly a phone call to their allocated neighbour who required it. I offered free mindfulness sessions to all my neighbours in my back garden, for which some were keen to trial giving very positive feedback of how beneficial they found it, which made me content that I was doing something of great value.

It was purely coincidental that before the initial lockdown I had booked onto a Mindfulness Teacher training course; something that I felt that I had practiced since I was young without really realising it – growing up spending nearly all of my time in nature in the woods or on the beach with a group of close friends who many I still keep in close contact with today. Walking along the coast observing the seasons and how nature corresponded with the different elements, noticing the flowers, buds, smells of the sea, hearing the birds sing, tasting foods that I foraged from the hedgerows, and generally noticing how the different seasons affected my skin and hair and how much better I felt when the sun shone – although there is something of beauty to find in everything!

My background I felt personally made me more resilient and positive to accept change and to see good and kindness in others; the course was something I thought would be great to share with others to help their wellbeing to tackle what life throws at them – it is not always easy and it is not a therapy but a way of life to help you live in the present with full awareness. It might be difficult for some to clear their thoughts and this is where meditation can really benefit the more it is practised, at first I used to fall asleep as I found it so relaxing, but now I have learnt to fall awake and to be totally present noticing any discomforts or thoughts without judging and letting go. ????

Mindfulness practice has had a lot of research around it and although there is no fast cure for many mental health concerns, it clearly can help especially the more you practice whether it is for depression, anxiety, paranoia, sleep, eating disorders, stress or pure relaxation!

So if you would like to join me on my mindfulness path have a look at my website for upcoming courses – www.mindfulnessnewlyn.co.uk or contact me on sue@mindfulnessnewlyn.co.uk

Take care

Sue