Following on from the introduction to the art of mindfulness and how it’s used to set you up for the day, we have spoken to Terrence the Teacher about how to apply his techniques to working from home, something many are now experiencing for the first time.
How can mindfulness meditation be applied to working from home?
“When working from home, it is important to give yourself breaks. This is where mindful meditations can be handy. They don't have to be long and will just help to create a few moments of calm before you get back to work.”
May you please share some practical advice for those working from home, i.e. on how to prepare oneself, stay focused etc?
“Mindfulness practice is great to clear the mind and refocus. But I’d start by creating a working area, so your brain will learn that when you sit in that space, it’s time for work. Then create a routine, and try to stick to it. It’s something the mind responds to very well. Have specific times throughout the day when you take a break from working.”
Are there any mindfulness techniques which you feel are especially effective to combat stress or anxiety?
“The practice of mindfulness in general helps to calm and relax you. The best all-round tip would be to slow a chosen activity down by half. So, if you feel stressed for example, go do something like washing the dishes but do it very slowly. Spend time with each item. Check in with your breath the whole time. Feel the water, notice the colours of all the items and even count perhaps how many times you brush an item. The slowing down, the act of being aware and the focus on the breath will quickly relax you. This can be done with any activity like walking, eating, getting dressed and even brushing your teeth.”
People working from home are often distracted, or might procrastinate. Could you elaborate on the science behind mindfulness, and in particular with regards to concentration?
“As you do the above, you will actually find that it will train your brain to be able to concentrate more. The science says that some parts of our brains are more active than others. By meditating and being mindful you slow down your brain waves to a point where the whole brain gets more balanced. You will be able to access the parts of your mind that deals with things like concentration, focus and clarity.”
Look out for Terrence the Teacher’s tips on mindfulness for better sleep, soon to be published on our Notebook. To enquire about bespoke sessions with Terrence the Teacher, email terrencetheteacher@gmail.com.
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