How to practice mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness is about taking the time to stop and focus.

Over the course of a day, you will often react, feel, and do things without thinking about them.

When you stop and focus on your thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and everything around you, you can start to practice mindfulness.

Take a moment to think about where you are sitting right now.

Now ask yourself the following questions;

Once you have started to ask yourself these questions, the next step in practicing mindfulness is acceptance.

Accept how and what you feel in that moment without judging yourself, your behaviour, your thoughts, or emotions.

This is called the practice of mindfulness.

Discover more about autism and mindfulness here.

If you’re having thoughts about harming yourself or suicide, it’s important to speak to someone; here are a few places that can help;

• SHOUT, the UK’s first 24/7 crisis text service, provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258. This service is free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis, anytime.
• Childline– for children and young people under 19. Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively, you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: HeadSpace- Mindfulness
  
• w: NHS- Mindfulness
  
• w: Mind- Mindfulness