Take 10 For Zen

Why is it important?

The average person spends almost half of their time with their mind wandering, usually worrying. In an age where our brains are trained for activity, mindfulness can be a useful tool to train ourselves to go to a place of focus and calm, so we can be more present in our lives.

According to the World Health Organization,  mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”

One of the secrets to positive mental health is being able to get back to ‘zero’ as often as possible, in order to clear our heads of negative stress and worry. Even just five to ten minutes of practice can help to bring your attention back to a focal point and to maintain sustained attention for longer periods of time.

A quick and easy way to get back to ‘zero’ is through practicing deep breathing.

 deep breathing Exercises

When we are tense we breathe shallowly and rapidly. When relaxed we breathe more fully and more deeply. 

By using deep breathing we stimulate the relaxation response of our bodies, promoting calmness. Just a few minutes of deep breathing practice will usually give us a state of relaxation.

 The Benefits of Positive Mental Health

Research shows that high levels of mental health are associated with increased learning, creativity and productivity, more pro-social behaviour and positive social relationships, and with improved physical health and life expectancy.

Positive mental health is about being cognitively, emotionally and socially healthy – the way we think, feel and develop relationships.

To help you raise awareness about the benefits of positive mental health, we've created a poster about the benefits of deep breathing with some exercises.

Promote Positive Mental Health in your Workplace