Student mindfulness for depression

Mindfulness may sound like a convoluted term. Yet, mindfulness is as simple as being conscious or aware of sensations, thoughts, and feelings. Taking a moment in the midst of a chaotic schedule to notice the world around you and your inner monologue is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to improve mental health. Many people go through their lives on autopilot and leave little room for reflection – especially with the increasing number of distractions around us. How often have you put a TV show or a film on and then instantly reached for your phone to scroll simultaneously?

In our modern digital era, we rarely get the opportunity for mindfulness or awareness. When mindfulness is achieved, it increases the ability to calmly and rationally be present and become grounded. The phrase “you are not your thoughts or feelings” may seem like a difficult concept to grasp for non-practitioners of mindfulness. Yet, you can gain a greater sense of perspective by being aware of feelings and thoughts instead of blindly reacting to them.

The best way to achieve a state of mindfulness is to engage in a guided mindfulness meditation, which will teach you the principles of mindfulness. Many people believe that meditation is not for them because they struggle to completely clear their minds when they close their eyes, as they often get distracted by the noises happening around them or thoughts.

Mindfulness meditation doesn’t require a blank slate in your mind. Instead, it requires you to focus on one thing, such as a mantra or your breath and improve your ability to focus on one thing at a time. When your mind wanders, note where you have wandered to recentre yourself in your meditative practice.

In time, with enough practice, your ability to sharpen your focus will get easier. In the meantime, whenever you pull yourself back into your relaxation, you will be making progress.

Be Non-Judging

Mindfulness requires you to be an impartial witness. For example, if you practice mindfulness meditation and remember how much work you need to do tomorrow, note the thought and feeling and let it go. Or if while you are meditating, you can hear your flatmate stirring their cup of tea obnoxiously loud, find awareness to your reactive stream, then let it go.

The NHS regularly advocates mindfulness to help with stress, depression, and anxiety after multiple studies have proven it is beneficial for the majority. However, for some individuals, it is not as effective; in some circumstances, it can exacerbate feelings of depression and unease. If this is the case for you, reach out to your local care provider or student wellbeing services, who can offer additional support. For some people, for mindfulness to be effective, it needs to be paired with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or talking therapy, which will help depression sufferers to get to the root cause of their depression before they can overcome it with the guidance of a professional.

One of the main reasons why student mindfulness for depression is so effective is its tendency to pull us into the present, which limits the time spent worrying about how things went wrong in the past or feeling depressed when looking ahead to the future without a clear view of bright possibilities. People going through difficult circumstances will have undoubtedly heard that they should focus on doing things one step at a time or take things day by day; the same principles apply to mindfulness or awareness. It is easy to get consumed by terrifying possibilities in the future or fixate on every regret. However, clarity and perspective can be gained by being aware of your thoughts and feelings instead of being engrossed in them or acting through them.

Download a Mindfulness App

Mindfulness apps, such as Calm, Headspace and Aura, are some of the best ways for mindfulness novices to start practising their mindfulness skills through meditations and exercises, such as mindfulness breathing. Most self-care apps are available on a seven-day free trial basis and in standard free versions. Students can also take advantage of the 85% discount on Headspace monthly and annual plans.

Self-Care Apps developed for emotional well-being are a great way to start your journey into mindfulness, but for mindfulness to be truly effective, you will also want to carry it through into your day-to-day life. Rather than letting mindfulness be something you engage with for 10 minutes while staring at your phone.

Bring Mindfulness into Your Daily Activities

Whether you are walking to your next lecture, preparing food for your next meal, or engaging in a creative hobby, such as painting or playing an instrument, get into the habit of bringing yourself into the present moment. Bringing yourself into the present will help you to become rooted in the sensations you are currently experiencing. By making the simple decision to stay present, mindful, and aware, you will enhance your ability to regulate your mood. For example, if you are cooking your favourite meal, focus on preparing the ingredients and anticipating how much you will enjoy the meal. By doing this, you are creating a barrier between the depressive thoughts that often epitomise depression. For students who love being active, mindfulness movement may be more beneficial than meditation or other more sedentary activities. In addition to the mental health boost that running or yoga exercises bring, they are also a great way of focusing on the present, as you bring awareness to your posture, breath, and how it feels for your body to be in motion.

Connect with Nature

Forest bathing started as a popular well-being trend in Japan before making its way around the world as one of the best ways to practice mindfulness. There is also a substantial body of international research which indicates that spending time in nature – mindfully – is a way to enhance mental health, reduce stress, improve mood, boost energy levels, and sharpen focus. There are free forest bathing group walks in London regularly where students can get together with like-minded people for a spot of forest bathing. It is just as easy to go it alone and take advantage of the benefits of forest bathing.

Head to a wooded area with the sole intent of experiencing nature. Keep your phone out of sight and out of mind – you aren’t here to take pictures; you are here to experience nature and escape the stresses and strains of metropolitan living. Engage as many senses as possible while out in nature. Notice the breeze or the sun on your skin; listen to the rustle of the leaves or bird song; touch the bark of trees; notice what you can smell and focus on what you can see. Many parks in Central London will allow you to connect with nature, including Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens.

Mindfulness for Depression in London

If you’re looking to enhance your mindfulness practice, considering a mindfulness course can be a valuable step to accelerate your progress. These courses often provide practical techniques and strategies to help individuals manage symptoms of depression, reduce stress, and cultivate a greater sense of emotional well-being. Guided by experienced instructors, participants learn to be more present in the moment, develop self-awareness, and gain tools to cope with negative thought patterns. Here are some specialised centres mindfulness-based therapy in London:

1. CBT Clinic
2. CityTherapyRooms
3. The Mindful Therapist