TRY A MONTH OF MINDFULNESS

So, what does the M-word really mean? You might have heard the term 'mindfulness' thrown around by lifestyle bloggers, Insta yoginis and emblazoned on covers of pocket books in your local bookshop. It's becoming so popular that it's almost the new hygge. 

And it's not even as far-out as it might sound. When it boils down to it, mindfulness is about taking stock of yourself and your mental health and being present in the moment. It's also about knowing yourself inside out, and looking out for yourself to improve your mental health.

Turns out that mindfulness exercises can actually boost brain power - students who engage with the activities on a regular basis have shown improved focus in class. A study found that undergrad students who took part in a three-minute mindfulness exercise before a lecture reported being less distracted felt more positive overall about the learning experience. 

It seems to be so effective that lots of unis are implementing the exercises and mindfulness training as part of their student experience.  

Want a few to try this month, or just to take a look at what the fuss is all about? The NHS's Moodzone is full of tips, wellbeing questionnaires, and loads of videos of led meditations and mindfulness activities, so that's a great place to start.