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Get outdoors and try Mindful Walks Belfast

Groundwork NI, in partnership with Active Belfast, is encouraging Belfast residents to try Mindful Walks, which are taking place in parks and outdoor areas of Belfast. The aim of Mindful Walking is to introduce Belfast residents to the opportunity of experiencing Mindfulness, through the experience of Mindful Walking.

Mindfulness is meditation. Mindful walking is walking meditation. The practice of Mindfulness and Mindful Walking is one of a series of interventions, which can help promote mental health and wellbeing. As an activity, Mindfulness can be undertaken and sustained by anyone and the benefits can be almost immediate.

Each Belfast Mindful Walk is free, led by an experienced Mindfulness Practitioner, lasts around 90 minutes and allows people to literally ‘stop’, breathe and enjoy the beautiful, natural surroundings.

Encouraging Belfast residents to give Mindful Walking a go is Michael McEvoy, Project Officer at Groundwork NI: “Groundwork NI believes in developing the wellbeing of individuals and Mindfulness is one method to help people do this. There are many benefits in practicing Mindfulness such as feeling less anxious and becoming more present. This can be woven into every moment of our lives including future walking activities.”

Séamus Mullen, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing at the Public Health Agency in the Belfast area, said: “Walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise, easily accessible to most, and has many health benefits. Walking at a brisk pace can make you feel good, reduce anxiety, help you sleep better, reduce blood pressure and help you manage your weight.

“You don’t need any specialised equipment to get walking, just a comfortable pair of shoes. Walking in a group can be a good way to get started too and it’s also a great way to make friends who can keep you motivated.”

Each Mindful Walk is offered in silence, allowing people to practice Mindfulness and allowing the environment to unite the body and the mind.

For more information on Mindful Walks and to check where each walk will take place, visit: http://mindfulwalksbelfast.wordpress.com/

ENDS

Further Information:

For further information or media enquiries please contact Debbie McGrory, Communications Officer, Belfast Strategic Partnership, on Tel: 9050 2073 or email: debbie.mcgrory@bhdu.org

 

Photo Caption:

Keep walking in mind: Pictured outdoors on a Belfast Mindful walk are  (L-R) Ben Hanvey, Active Belfast Project Officer, Lynne Elliott, Mindful walker, Michael McEvoy (middle), Project Officer at Groundwork NI, Pauline Dunlop, Mindful walker and Seamus Mullen, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the Public Health Agency in the Belfast area. Organised by Groundwork NI, in partnership with Active Belfast, Mindful Walks are taking place across Belfast. To check out where each walk is taking place, visit: http://mindfulwalksbelfast.wordpress.com/

 

Notes to Editors:

  1. Funding for the Mindful Walks Belfast programme has been provided by Belfast City Council and the Public Health Agency.
  1. Active Belfast, supported by the Belfast Strategic Partnership, is a wide ranging and innovative programme of work to improve the activity levels, health and quality of life for all Belfast residents, regardless of their age, gender, culture or ability. For more information on Active Belfast contact the Active Belfast team by email: activebelfast@bhdu.org or ring: 9050 2073.
  1. The Belfast Strategic Partnership’s aim is to address life inequalities and is made up of representatives from Belfast City Council, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Public Health Agency, statutory organisations, private sector as well as community and voluntary agencies.
  1. Groundwork Northern Ireland works in partnership with local communities, key funding bodies, statutory authorities and other agencies, linking economic and social regeneration through the environment to deliver practical solutions to real problems in areas of high social need, changing places, changing lives and changing minds. For more information contact Groundwork NI on: 9074 9494.
  1. Mindfulness is defined as the practice of being fully present and alive, with body and mind united – it’s the energy that helps us to know what is going on in any present moment.


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