We are always seeking ways to show our appreciation to our volunteers. When the opportunity arose for us to take part in Health and Wellbeing training offered by Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke, we eagerly embraced it.
We’re delighted to announce that Laura Quinn, Rosie’s Trust’s Development Officer has recently completed the training and is officially our new Health and Wellbeing Ambassador.
Throughout 2024, we will be sharing an abundance of valuable information with our new wellbeing progamme Revive and Thrive: Walk with us along the path to wellness.
This information will focus on the small yet impactful steps we can all take to enhance our physical and mental wellbeing. Our aim is to inspire and motivate you to make the most of your body and mind.
Over to Laura…
‘So, we just survived the madness that is Christmas and now we are facing the pressure of creating a whole new version of ourselves and leaving all our ‘flaws’ in 2023.
I am not sure about you but this does not sound appealing to me in any way, shape or form.
What does appeal to me though is leaving the things that cause me unnecessary stress in 2023 and for the stressors I must bring with me into 2024 I am going to dedicate some time and energy to learning how to not let them negatively impact me. I am going to focus on things I can do to keep me centred, calm and balanced.
For example, every night before I sleep I think about three things I am grateful for – not only does this end my day on a positive note, it helps me drown out any stresses or worries that might reduce the quality of my sleep and I really find it helps me wake in a more positive state of mind.
I have also committed to reading more and scrolling less – why is this so difficult! My automatic motion is to reach for my phone instead of my Kindle but I am determined to break that habit.
What things would you like to focus on?
What would bring you some serenity and joy? No one needs to move mountains here – think of something simple that you would like to change and make sure it is something you enjoy, punishing yourself is something I think we should all leave in 2023.
Many of you will remember that during lockdown Rosie’s Trust ran an online Mindfulness course – you may even have attended it. I had never encountered Mindfulness before but the number of times I have used the techniques I learnt on those Zoom sessions is quite astonishing.
My favourite and the one that has saved me many times is ‘Feel Your Feet’. When life is whizzing around you, the world feels like it moves at a much faster speed than you, you are knee deep in one of those situations that make you physically feel the stress in your chest take a beat, take a breath and feel your feet on the ground. Just for a few moments focus on the present, on what is real and what is current.
Whatever the situation this technique has never let me down. I can feel my heart rate slow, my chest relax and my perspective return.’
You can find a much more in-depth look at this technique here: https://youtu.be/yJbX9epx0zM?si=yl1AS69HG-38FG-B
Aware NI have a section on their website dedicated to Mindfulness and information about the different courses they are running: https://aware-ni.org/upcoming-mindfulness-courses
You can find a little more information should you be interested here: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/what-is-mindfulness/
We hope you found this useful and helpful – 2024 is the Year of You!
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