As good as it can be to wear pyjamas all day and explore the furthest reaches of your Netflix account, long term hibernation and cocooning can result in decreased motivation, loneliness and depression. The more we avoid going out, the easier it gets to stay in. One way to stay in touch with our needs, and what our body and mind are actually craving, is through mindfulness techniques. In this month’s PULSE we explore the vast range of mindfulness apps, courses and techniques that lie just a few clicks away.
JON KABAT-ZINN
“Jon Kabat-Zinn has done more than any other person on the planet to spread the power of mindfulness to the lives of ordinary people and major societal institutions.”
-Richard J. Davidson, founder and chair, Center for Investigating Healthy Minds.
Jon Kabat-Zinn founded the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1979. The centre for mindfulness specialises in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a form of meditation derived from Buddhist techniques that can assist people in coping with stress, anxiety, pain, and illness. His book Full Catastrophe Living outlines the practice and the research behind it. You can also find many of his guided meditation sessions on Youtube.
OPENGROUND
Openground work with individuals and organisations to teach mindfulness as a transformational practice. Specialising in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a form of meditation developed by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn (author of Full Catastrophe Living), Openground run face-to-face zoom courses across Australia and on zoom. Their 8-week program will equip you with the mindfulness practices needed to cultivate an observant, accepting and compassionate stance towards your own internal experiences.
HEADSPACE
Launched in 2010, Headspace has become one of the world’s favourite apps, offering easy, step-by-step guided meditations accessible any time via your phone. Using the Headspace app, you can experience the benefits of meditation anytime, anywhere. Recognising how stressful this period of unknown can be, Headspace offers a series of free meditations online, aimed at helping you to weather the storm and find some space and kindness for yourself and those around you.
CALM
Calm wins the people’s choice award for mindfulness training, with over 50 million downloads and over 700,000 5-star reviews. Featuring daily guided meditations and other sessions specifically designed to help you drift off to sleep, Calm also offers exclusive collaborations with artists such as Moby, Zane Lowe and Diplo and masterclasses by meditation experts. A sure-fire path to tranquillity in tumultuous times.
