April is officially UK National Stress Awareness Month to help raise awareness of the negative impact of stress.
What is stress?
There is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health. It’s critical to recognize what stress and anxiety look like, take steps to build resilience and manage and know where to go for help.
Our Aim
- Raise awareness and support mental health and wellbeing within the local community
- Host a number of pop-up stress relief sites in Southampton in April and provide ways to manage stress and anxiety
WHY SHOULD I COME ALONG?
- Self care
- Try something new
- Short 30 min sessions
- Simple and easy techniques
- Bring your family and friends
STRESS BUSTING POP UP LOCATIONS
Location: Solent University
Date: Saturday 1 April 2023
Time: 12:00pm – 14:00pm
Activities: Tai Chi, Yoga, Zen Calligraphy
Location: Southampton Central Library
Date: Saturday 15 April 2023
Time: 12:00pm – 14:00pm
Activities: Tai Chi, Yoga, Zen Calligraphy
Location: Westquay Shopping Centre
Date: Saturday 22 April 2023
Time: 12:00pm – 14:00pm
Activities: Tai Chi, Yoga, Zen Calligraphy
Location: UK Shaolin Centre
Date: Saturday 29 April 2023
Time: 13:00pm – 15:00pm
Activities: Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation, Zen Calligraphy
About Our Stress Busting Activities
Zen Calligraphy
Studies also show that creating art stimulates the release of dopamine. This chemical is released when we do something pleasurable, and it basically makes us feel happier. Increased levels of this feel-good neurotransmitter can be very helpful if you are battling anxiety or depression.
Recent clinical studies have shown that calligraphy drawing and meditation are both practical and effective methods for stress reduction.
There are many wonderful benefits from all these activates including increasing concentration, improve cognitive abilities but also importantly keeping your stress at bay.
Meditation
Our meditation sessions are inclusive and welcoming. We will give you a simple, down-to-earth guide to meditation that can help you relieve stress, take stock, and find new meanings to life.
These methods will assist in reducing stress, anxiety, isolation, and other negative states of mind. With regular practice, meditation will teach you how to become peaceful, relaxed, and cultivate patience.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi has many different styles and each style subtly emphasises a particular Tai Chi principles and methods. Some styles may focus on health maintenance, while others focus on the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi.
The practice involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. This combination helps circulate energy .
Tai Chi is an art embracing the mind, body and spirit. Originating in ancient China, Tai Chi is one of the most effective exercises for health of mind and body.
This ancient art has a great depth of knowledge and multiple health benefit from improving strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning and balance.
It’s also been proven to improve cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, prevent falls and help people who have arthritis.
In terms of mental health and wellbeing There are also immense emotional and mental benefits. The movements help people to feel more relaxed, grounded and present in their bodies. This lowers anxiety, stress and depression; while improving memory, focus and sleep.
Yoga
Asana Yoga is a moving meditation and a great way to unify our physical body with the mind.
We use the postures (Asanas) performed to increase our body’s flexibility, tone and strength whilst giving our internal organ systems an exercise to boost overall internal health.
The connection of moving our bodies with our breathing makes sure we’re kept in a meditative state, allowing us to combat things such as stress, anxiety, anger, and depression, whilst promoting feelings of calm, relaxation, acceptance and positive moods.
There are so many reasons to practice Yoga, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. Our sessions are suitable for all ages, abilities, and body types.
Check back here for more details on the timetable of pop-up stress busting sites. If you would like to book this event for your organisation or business, please contact us.