Mindfulness for Wellbeing on

Caroline Biddle

Executive Director of Human Resources cbiddle@bedford.ac.uk

Mindfulness for Wellbeing

We hear a lot about mindfulness these days and how it supports wellbeing, but what does it actually incorporate? Being mindful is the practice of being aware of and accepting the present moment. The seven pillars of mindfulness were written by Jon Kabat-Zin. They bring to light the principles that you can use and practice to achieve balance in your own life.

Non-judging

The world isn’t simple or clear but many of us see judgments as just that. Something is either good or bad; this automatic judgment takes over and informs your choices in ways that you may not even realise. It is critical that you find awareness. Not action, but awareness. You must be able to recognise the judgments you automatically make so you can begin to work around them.

Patience

As the saying goes, patience is a virtue. The same point is made in the principles of mindfulness. You must understand that the events of your life will unfold in time and accept that. There is no need to rush. You should live the moment for what it is and not become too transfixed on the future.

Beginner’s Mind

It’s easy to lose yourself if you begin to believe that you have heard, seen and experienced everything. This principle brings forward the idea that life is ever changing. No moment is the same as another. Each one is unique in nature and contains unique possibilities. The beginner’s mind reminds us of this simplicity. The focus here is to not let your experiences become filtered by what you believe you already know.

Trust

Having trust in yourself, your beliefs and your intuition is necessary to find peace. Being your own person and letting your ideals guide you are the only way to be sure that you are on the right path. You should be open to learning and be listening, but ultimately know that the choices you make should be decided based on what you think and believe.

Non-Striving

Being and trusting yourself is crucial within the principles of mindfulness. Non-striving is the practice of recognising that who you are is enough and that striving to be “different” or “better” can be distracting. Embrace who you are and find comfort in that. This allows you to concentrate on the things that matter in the present moment.

Acceptance

Acceptance can sometimes be misconstrued. This principle is not about being complacent and choosing to be content with things you may not like. Instead, the idea is that you learn to accept the way that things really are. Don’t be clouded by your biases. Instead, you should learn to see the facts within our world and accept them as they are.

Letting Go

Letting go…it seems simple enough, doesn’t it? The truth is that relaxing can be difficult when naturally people become fixated on their own thoughts and ideas. It elevates stress and doesn’t allow us to really focus on what matters. To be mindful, you need to be able to free ourselves of worry and focus on the present.

North Atlantic challenge for Charlie

Charlie Whewell, Head of Higher Education and Partnerships, is set to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in June 2024. He will be aboard for the 7,000 km North Atlantic home-coming leg of this prestigious sailing circumnavigation in June-July 2024. Starting now, Charlie is raising funds towards the £13,800, some of which will go towards his chosen charity of the NHS Organ Donation Team. Charlie, who lives in Rushden is following in the wake of his parents who sold the family home and sailed around the world in the 1990s. His widowed dad continues to live afloat, now residing aboard a Dutch barge on the canals of France. “This trip is only going to be possible thanks to the support of my wife Em and our boys. It will be the opportunity of a lifetime to be part of something which raises so much money for good causes,” said Charlie. Charlie has already started fund-raising with a trek up Mount Snowdon. Next was an interview in October with Nevis radio, organised by a former Outdoor Education student of the Group, Jen Farthing. “This shows how far and wide our Outdoor Adventure students find employment – some of them work abroad, some in all corners of the UK or living the high life on super yachts; Fantastic careers await.” The first of his four weeks of compulsory Clipper Training is booked for July 2022 and he is hoping to get plenty of additional time on the water to build his ‘sea legs’ between now and the race! To follow Charlie’s training or make a donation to his fund-raising, visit his blog by clicking here.

Photos show Charlie Whewell preparing for the North Atlantic Challenge

Apprentice Mentor wins national award

Apprenticeships Mentor Mike Pool, who works with the Group, has been announced winner of the ‘apprentice mentor’ category at the national Dulux Select Decorators Awards. A member of the Northampton Construction Training Group, Mike was crowned category winner in recognition of his commitment to the development of young people in Northamptonshire and securing the future of the industry. He currently has an apprentice from Tresham College working with him. The judges were particularly impressed with Mike’s commitment to building his apprentices’ confidence and self-esteem, while encouraging them to engage in conversation with clients, which older customers particularly enjoy. The Dulux Select Decorators scheme enrols professional decorators who undergo rigorous assessments to become members – they must have at least three years’ experience in the trade and have run their own business for a minimum of 12 months. Mike said: “I am very proud to have won the Apprentice Mentor category at the Dulux Select Decorator Awards. “The category is particularly important to me as helping others develop their skills in the industry is a very rewarding part of my job. “I’m really passionate about my work as a painter and decorator, so passing on the essential skills of the trade and working with such enthusiastic and eager apprentices has been a real joy.” Vickie Mather, Dulux Select Decorators Lead, said: “It was fantastic to recognise Mike for his commitment to developing young professionals and helping safeguard the future of the industry. His passion for painting and decorating is clearly evident and this enthusiasm has proved to be infectious. “Mike embodies why being a Dulux Select Decorator has such benefits – bringing those in the trade together so they can learn from one another, while supporting a new generation of painters and decorators.

Photo shows Apprentice Mentor Mike Poole (Centre) with Bedford College apprentice Oscar Bunting on the left