Mindfulness for Stress and Anxiety

There is a fine line between stress and anxiety. While both are emotional responses, they can be triggered by different factors. Both involve the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and specific areas of the brain, such as the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus. Physiologically, stress and anxiety are very similar, as they both engage the body’s stress response. Chronic stress and anxiety can significantly impact both physical and psychological health. Over time, the repeated activation of the stress response can take a toll on the body and has been linked to a wide range of health conditions. Additionally, prolonged stress and anxiety can lead to changes in the brain, making it increasingly difficult to manage these feelings and ultimately perpetuating the cycle of stress and anxiety. In some cases, the brain can become "stuck" in a state of continuous stress mobilization, preventing it from resetting, which can lead to burnout. The good news is that it is possible to rewire or reset the stress response, bringing the body back to a healthier state.

Mindfulness and compassion practices can help us cope with stress and anxiety in several ways. For example, as we learn to observe our thoughts and recognise unhelpful mental reactions — such as catastrophising or all-or-nothing thinking — we can interrupt these unhealthy feedback loops in our brains. This is achieved by returning our awareness to the present moment. When we reduce our reactivity and practice awareness, we can observe the situation more clearly and consider our options. This allows us to consciously choose how to handle the stress in our lives instead of being overwhelmed by worry, anger, or frustration. With practice, we can also learn to accept and sit with the physical sensations of stress and anxiety, which can help lessen their hold on us. Mindfulness doesn’t remove stress and anxiety from our lives, but it changes our relationship with them so that they no longer overpower us.

This course is an 8-week course and consists of

• Weekly sessions including guided meditations practice, and group sharing with other participants  

• Guided home practices to do on your own at home with daily meditations of 30 - 40 mins and ’mindfulness in daily life’ exercises

• Short learning materials to read in your own time each week