Feeling overwhelmed?
Pause. Breathe. Be mindful.
Mindfulness can work wonders for your mental health. Whether it’s a deep breath, a mindful walk, or a moment of meditation, the key is being present.
Find more tips on mindfulness here:
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is nurturing the next generation of gardeners with its free Little Seedlings Club workshop this September in its Edinburgh store, inviting young gardeners to explore mindfulness in a fun and engaging way.
This monthly workshop is designed for children aged 4-10 and takes place on Sunday 1 September at 11am.
Promising an enriching experience that blends the joys of gardening with the calming practices of mindfulness, this upcoming session in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store focuses on Mindfulness in the Garden. Children will get a chance to learn about the benefits of being present in the moment and connecting with nature.
Dobbies’ colleagues in the Edinburgh store will guide young attendees through mindfulness, explaining what it is and why it’s beneficial. The session will highlight how using the five senses can enhance the gardening experience, encouraging children to notice the vibrant colours, fragrant scents, and soothing sounds of their surroundings.
Kids will discover how mindfulness can be practiced in the garden, helping them relax and focus.
Whether it’s the feel of soil between their fingers or the sight of a blooming flower, these experiences can be incredibly grounding and stress-relieving.
The workshop in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also provide practical tips for practising mindfulness at home, making it easy for families to incorporate these calming practices into their daily lives.
Dobbies’ Horti Expert, Emma Drain, is looking forward to welcoming children along to September’s Mindfulness in the Garden session.
She said: “The Little Seedlings Club in our Edinburgh store is a fantastic way for children to learn about the natural world and introducing kids to mindfulness through gardening can help them build a positive relationship with nature and their own emotions.”
For more details about the Little Seedlings Club and to book a spot, visit:
With the Easter break on the horizon, this can become a busy period for many employees whether working in the office or at home.
Leading CBD company,Joy Organics, believe employees should implement their own mindfulness routine to reduce stress, avoid burnout and create a positive atmosphere at work.
Introducing goal-setting, breathing exercises and journaling are just a few of the techniques experts recommend to become more mindful throughout the working week.
Here are Joy Organics’ 10 top mindfulness tips for the workplace:
Give yourself a moment
Before starting the day and tackling the ever-growing to-do list, take a moment to set intentions for the day ahead. Putting aside time in the morning to mentally check in and be present, means the challenges of the day can be seen with greater focus and clarity.
Lend an ear
Creating a mindfulness routine in the workplace is as much about including colleagues as it is about the self. Providing a safe space for others to share opinions, ideas and general chit-chat is a positive tool for creating a happy and warm environment at work.
Be conscious of tech
Being conscious of how tech is used throughout the day can dramatically improve focus and productivity whilst at work and reduce stress. Emails especially can become a source of distraction throughout the day, so try to set a limit or schedule when and how often they are checked, where possible. Putting other devices on do not disturb modes can also help to prevent temptation.
Practise breathing
Taking a breathing break is a great tool to help refocus and feel present in the moment. Focusing on deep breath work throughout the week to release any built-up tension due to stressful aspects at work.
Stop multitasking
It’s a common misconception that performing multiple tasks at the same time is the most productive way of working. Directing attention to a singular task can help avoid context-switching and prevent simple mistakes, which will in turn help to lower stress levels.
Create a growth mindset
Setting personal goals at work that are separate from objectives set out in the job role is essential for personal development. These goals don’t have to be extravagant or complex, but small achievable tasks that can help boost happiness and accomplishment at work can accumulate over time.
Go for a walk
This may seem like a generic wellness tip, but it is common for a reason. Going for a walk and getting away from the workspace can help improve productivity. Moving the body is a great mood booster. Placing items around the house/office, away from the working space, can provide a reason to move about during the day.
Journal your time
Having a work journal alongside a regular notepad at work can be useful to track important feelings and emotions on a day-to-day basis. After a while, these journal entries will compound and can serve as an important benchmark to track stress, satisfaction and career objectives.
Slow down
Many work environments can be fast-paced so it can be hard to know when it is appropriate to slow down. Becoming too overstimulated can lead to increased stress and dissatisfaction with the working week. Leaving time between meetings to grab a drink and take a breather, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with a busy schedule so it’s important to switch gears to avoid burnout.
Channel your commute
Whether it’s on the morning commute or a lunchtime break it can be easy to slip the earphones in and dive into a gripping podcast or the trusty daily playlist. However, being present in the moment is a great way to unplug and be free of any distractions. Taking in the surroundings is a wholesome way of grounding throughout seemingly repetitive parts of the week.
A spokesperson for Joy Organics said: “Regardless of whether you work from home, in the office or a bit of both, it’s essential to establish a routine to help reduce stress and create positivity in the working environment.
“Trying to completely overhaul the working day with the tips we’ve provided is not advisable. Pick one or two to start with and try to slowly incorporate them into your routine to see how you feel.
“Some may be useful, whilst others maybe not so much, it’s all about finding simple methods that work for the individual, and this can take time.”
Employees are being advised on the best ways to create a mindfulness routine at work.
Building a healthy relationship with work and creating a positive routine pattern is important for individual well-being, especially when heading into a new year at work.
Leading CBD company, Joy Organics, have given some top tips for reducing stress and creating positivity as part of a workplace mindfulness routine.
Introducing goal-setting, breathing exercises and journaling are just a few of the techniques experts recommend to become more mindful throughout the working week.
Here are Joy Organics’ 10 top mindfulness tips for the workplace:
Give yourself a moment
Before starting the day and tackling the ever-growing to-do list, take a moment to set intentions for the day ahead. Putting aside time in the morning to mentally check in and be present, means the challenges of the day can be seen with greater focus and clarity.
Lend an ear
Creating a mindfulness routine in the workplace is as much about including colleagues as it is about the self. Providing a safe space for others to share opinions, ideas and general chit-chat is a positive tool for creating a happy and warm environment at work.
Be conscious of tech
Being conscious of how tech is used throughout the day can dramatically improve focus and productivity whilst at work and reduce stress. Emails especially can become a source of distraction throughout the day, so try to set a limit or schedule when and how often they are checked, where possible. Putting other devices on do not disturb modes can also help to prevent temptation.
Practise breathing
Taking a breathing break is a great tool to help refocus and feel present in the moment. Focusing on deep breath work throughout the week to release any built-up tension due to stressful aspects at work.
Stop multitasking
It’s a common misconception that performing multiple tasks at the same time is the most productive way of working. Directing attention to a singular task can help avoid context-switching and prevent simple mistakes, which will in turn help to lower stress levels.
Create a growth mindset
Setting personal goals at work that are separate from objectives set out in the job role is essential for personal development. These goals don’t have to be extravagant or complex, but small achievable tasks that can help boost happiness and accomplishment at work can accumulate over time.
Go for a walk
This may seem like a generic wellness tip, but it is common for a reason. Going for a walk and getting away from the workspace can help improve productivity. Moving the body is a great mood booster. Placing items around the house/office, away from the working space, can provide a reason to move about during the day.
Journal your time
Having a work journal alongside a regular notepad at work can be useful to track important feelings and emotions on a day-to-day basis. After a while, these journal entries will compound and can serve as an important benchmark to track stress, satisfaction and career objectives.
Slow down
Many work environments can be fast-paced so it can be hard to know when it is appropriate to slow down. Becoming too overstimulated can lead to increased stress and dissatisfaction with the working week. Leaving time between meetings to grab a drink and take a breather, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with a busy schedule so it’s important to switch gears to avoid burnout.
Channel your commute
Whether it’s on the morning commute or a lunchtime break it can be easy to slip the earphones in and dive into a gripping podcast or the trusty daily playlist. However, being present in the moment is a great way to unplug and be free of any distractions. Taking in the surroundings is a wholesome way of grounding throughout seemingly repetitive parts of the week.
A spokesperson for Joy Organics said: “Regardless of whether you work from home, in the office or a bit of both, it’s essential to establish a routine to help reduce stress and create positivity in the working environment.
“Trying to completely overhaul the working day with the tips we’ve provided is not advisable. Pick one or two to start with and try to slowly incorporate them into your routine to see how you feel.
“Some may be useful, whilst others maybe not so much, it’s all about finding simple methods that work for the individual, and this can take time.”
We’re starting a series of relaxing activities on Friday afternoons.
This Friday 2nd Dec, we’re kicking things off with a music listening session.
Just drop in and enjoy a chat about music and a free cuppa!
WELLBEING OPEN DAY – SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER 9am – 4pm
People living in cities around the world care about their mental health and the mental health of their fellow residents; they also know that urbanization – living amongst masses of people with its related stressors and burdens – can often be toxic to mental health and well-being.
Edinburgh is no different to any other global city BUT the areas The Ripple Project works in – Restalrig, Lochend and Craigentinny – are different to other parts of Edinburgh.
Low and insecure income and problem debt, unemployment and poor quality housing has consistently been associated with an increased risk of common mental health problems, loneliness and social isolation only adds to this already bleak picture.
As part of their wellbeing programme, on Saturday 16th October the Ripple Project is offering local residents the opportunity to stop, look after themselves and try something new. Activities on offer FREE of CHARGE include Reiki, massage, singing, drumming, capoeira, creative art, reflexology and many others.
Cat Robertson, Wellbeing Co-ordinator said “This is a day where people can come and take stock, try something different and think about the things that matter. So often we forget to do things that just make us happy”
The Ripple Project is a grass roots community that has a strong track record spanning over 20 years of tackling poverty and inequality by working with local people to help them to help themselves.
Based at the Restalrig Lochend Community Hub since 2010, the charity normally provides daily activities including a community café, a youth service, a wellbeing project, a community shop, a programme for volunteers and support for people to make and sell their own items.
The Ripple Project also writes and delivers a community newspaper into 6000 homes every 3 months.
Their Community Hub at Restalrig Road South is open 5 days and 4 evenings a week – 8am to 8pm as well as occasional weekends. The Ripple Project has a small staff team, with the rest of the activities delivered by over 100 volunteers who commit to and give us over 5,500 thousand volunteering hours per year.
Rachel Green, Director of The Ripple said: “The Ripple is the place in our community that people come to chat with others, to have a healthy meal and to take part in exercise, learning and other social activities.
“So often we see people who do not see anyone from one day to the next or just need help with some something small that is bothering them. We get to know people and they get to know us, we know when they don’t turn up or when somethings wrong.
“We work together to help each other and try and make our area a better place to live and work in.”
To find out more about The Ripple Project please visit www.rippleproject.co.uk
Developed with a mindfulness consultant, and available now for free in the CBeebies Go Explore app, it lets little ones discover three fun activities each day that introduce focus, creativity and calm.
Your Mindful Garden teaches valuable techniques to help children de-stress and unwind – useful skills both in these tough times and for later in life.
Your Mindful Garden gives children three daily activities to complete, each one addressing a different aspect of mindfulness: focus, creative and calm. Whether it’s playing hide and seek with the CBeebies bugs or helping some friendly fish to pick up colourful scales, the focus activities aid concentration, and in turn help to clear and relax the mind.
The creative activities include recalling happy memories to grow a feelings flower, or calming the mind by raking patterns in a zen garden.
The final activity of each day is always something calming. From learning to stretch with a new monkey friend to breathing along with a frog, it’s all about learning valuable techniques that can help improve children’s wellbeing.
When starting Your Mindful Garden for the first time, little ones are asked to dig a hole to plant their own mindfulness tree. Completing the three daily activities gets them a surprise for their tree, with a new reward available to make their tree look more exciting every day.
Stephen Fry says: “It was such a pleasure to be involved with a simple, but beautifully designed idea like this. I hope and believe that many children will find the game fun, engaging and helpful in their journeys through life.”
Rachel Bardill, executive editor, BBC Children’s, says: “Giving kids the tools they need to help them prepare for school and beyond is at the heart of Go Explore, and Your Mindful Garden is a really fun way for children to discover mindfulness from an early age.
“Any parent knows that learning to focus, be creative and keep calm are important at any age – and growing their mindfulness tree gets children off to a great start with this.”
This mindfulness experience is the newest addition to the Go Explore app, which comes packed with activities helping children to develop life skills and prepare them for primary school. Featuring characters from Alphablocks, Hey Duggee and Go Jetters, the Go Explore app draws on the Early Years curriculum.
Following the launch of a whole new children’s iPlayer experience, as well as an expanded education offering across BBC Bitesize, iPlayer, Sounds, Red Button and BBC Four, Your Mindful Garden is the latest part of the BBC’s commitment to keep children educated and entertained during these unprecedented times.
Your Mindful Garden was developed by BBC Children’s and Mobile Pie with the help of a mindfulness consultant. Download the Go Explore app now via the Apple, Google Play and Amazon app stores.
Monica Nall, Community Programme manager at Craigroyston Community High School, has been in touch to remind us that courses start next week – see attached document. The writing group is FREE and fee waivers for the other classes may be considered. For further information call 538 7285.
