Debbiemindful Blogs

Take a few moments to check in to see what impact the hot weather is having on you. It is easy to become dehydrated and over heated which can give rise to stress and anxiety as well as reducing tolerance levels.  How are your  • energy levels?  • sleep quality?  • emotional state? Here are a few Debbiemindful tips for keeping cool in the summer weather ...  • slow down and pace yourself  • take a drink of water with a pinch of good quality salt (Celtic or Himalyan) to improve your electrolytes  • ask yourself do I really need to do this now or can it wait for a cooler time  • reduce commitments and manage expectations • make some mindful, gentle stretches to start and end the day - child's pose is a great pose to practise before going to bed as it is a restorative pose which calms the mind and relieves tension in the back and neck  • sit in a chair with your feet in a bowl cool water while meditating  • spritz your fa...

I would like to share a recent experience of when I recently realised I was feeling anxious ...  At a recent networking event I found myself becoming very anxious with a racing heart, sweaty palms, overthinking when listening to everyone else’s engaging and often humorous pitches. There were about 30 or so inspiring women in the room and I was going to be the last person to have my few minutes to speak. Thoughts were racing through my mind – what was I going to say to get everyone’s attention; why didn’t I prepare more; what am I even doing here?!  I realised I needed to practise some mindfulness as I was connecting with my ego and not being in the moment. I consciously took some deep breaths, felt into my feet making connection with the ground beneath and checked into my emotions. These simple actions soon bought some benefits and made me to see how quickly I was jumping to conclusions and judgements - feeling it was a competition (it really wasn't). This networking group (Fo...

Whilst staying at the stunning Casale Villarena, we heard about this beach and on researching it decided it would be a good adventure. The beach has no facilities so I suggest that you take lots of water, food, hat and wear sensible shoes (we did see some people in flip-flops but it is a good hike over rocky ground rather than a casual walk). More details can be found here:   http://www.massalubrenseturismo.it/en/bay-of-ieranto/ The track starts in the village of Nerano, off the road near to the local shops and Casale Villarena. I felt excited to be going higher and higher above Nerano, stopping to take many photos, watching the numerous lizards and taking care not to step on them. We came across the pink gate for Villa Rosa, where Norman Douglas lived and wrote Siren Land – we took more obligatory photos. Then I was looking out for the farming terraces which I had spotted whilst on the beach at Marina del Cantone looking up at the hillside. They were tricky to see...

This was my first experience of Oxford Insight Meditation Retreats and I wasn't sure what to expect. Jaya's bio had really appealed to me. So I made sure to arrive early even though I had feelings of uncertainty, I was still excited and keen to settle down for the day. There was a meeting taking place in the hall so there was time for a short walk and a chat with some other early arriving attendees. We were welcomed whole heartedly with an introduction informing us of places for our belongings and lunch contributions, as well as a reminder to keep phones turned off to ensure complete down-time. To help everyone be prepared for the session we were invited to make ourselves a cup of tea before Jaya arrived. The hall filled up quickly with a diverse group of people - some opting to sit on mats with cushions, meditation stools, bolsters, blocks and others sitting on chairs. Movement and chatter filled the room until Jaya took her place and made eye contact with all of ...

What a wonderful experience to walk in English woodlands surrounded by bluebells.  This week I took two of my mindfulness groups to this quiet spot where we spent time really appreciating the nature around us as well as checking into sensations within us.  It was a real chance to savour the beauty of this ancient, native flower with its heavenly scent. We all noticed so many small details such as the colourful lichen, the softness of the moss, the funghi, holes made by a woodpecker...   We spent sometime in silence exploring the woods at our own speed, listening to the wonderful bird song, people working nearby, the hum of the motorway traffic, the unmistakeable sound of a Spitfire flying overhead, ponies neighing.  We allowed all these sounds to come and go just as the sensations within us were raising and fading.  Trees, leaves, twigs, stones, bluebells were touched - allowing us to truly  connect with nature. ...