As this Stress Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to remind everyone to make use of the resources available to take care of yourself.
Headspace, the mindfulness and meditation app, is available for employees across EEAST to download free of charge. Sleep by Headspace provides various resources to help de-stress and fall asleep at any time of the day try meditation in the evening. Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, it is about learning to be more at ease with your thoughts and more compassionate with yourself and others. In this way, mindful meditation can reduce stress, and help improve our sleep.
Headspace provides various resources to help sleep better. Try one of the many soothing sleepcasts or some sleep music from the Sleep experience. Sleepcasts run about 45 minutes and can help create a relaxing, peaceful environment for sleep.
Headspace also offers hundreds of guided exercises for focus, movement, meditation, and more topics for any moment. The app can help you reduce stress, sleep soundly, and boost mental wellness. All EEAST employees can access Headspace app resources for free by logging in here. Headspace resources are also available for all to access from their YouTube.
Practicing gratitude can have many positive effects on our lives including lowering blood pressure, reducing risks of depression and anxiety, and setting the right conditions for better sleep. Consider keeping a gratitude journal, writing down a few things you’re thankful for a few times per week. There’s no right or wrong way to do this.
These “gratitude checklist” questions are useful for journaling –an excellent mindfulness practice as you wind down your day.
Practice this mindful body scan for a more restful sleep
Scan downward through the body, starting at the top of the head and finishing at the toes. As you scan downward, notice how different parts of the body feel.
What feels comfortable? What feels uncomfortable? This is not about changing anything or fixing anything. It’s about noticing.
Stay objective, curious. With a little practice, you can settle your body and mind. You can move into a more restful state.
Other resources
Sleep problems - Every Mind Matters - NHS
Sleep and mental health - Mind
How to sleep better | Mental Health Foundation
Published 27th April 2023