How mindfulness can help us cope with lockdown life

Mindfulness is often described as a state of being where our awareness is focused on the flow of experience in the present moment without commentary, analysis or judgement.

During periods of challenge and change the mind, body and emotions tend to react based upon our deeply rooted habitual responses. Whereas some of these may be beneficial, others may well be problematic. The situation in response to the Covid-19 pandemic certainly represents such a period for most of us and our families.

Here, Dr Dean Howes of Warwick University sets out five ways mindfulness could help you and your family during lockdown.

1 Noticing now

Whether you are settling down for a mindfulness meditation or out there in the busyness of life, the first step towards the mindful state is to pause and notice what is happening around and inside of you.

While we often find ourselves naturally attentive of now from time to time, with mindfulness we want to make the process more intentional.

We can do this by noticing the experiences coming from outside of us through the five senses.

These are always available for us to connect with. In the same manner we can notice our inner experience by connecting with how our mind, body and emotions are in the present moment. No commentary, analysis or judgements are needed – just a gentle curiosity in how our experience is as moment passes to moment.

2 Noticing rhythms

Rhythms, and the noticing of them, are an important part of cultivating mindfulness. For example, we can notice the ebb and flow of nature around us. As we do, we will begin to notice the patterns and routines that go on without our interference.

Not only can we do this with ourselves, but also with those around us during lockdown.

One way to cultivate this is to use the breath. Begin by noticing your natural breath rhythm in a given moment. Again, no commentary, analysis of judgement is needed. Rather, just notice the pace of the breath, the depth of it and the way the body is moving with the breath. Don’t worry if the mind wanders, just gently bring it back to the breath as often as is needed.