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Mindfulness and Happiness

Martin Giles | Kerene Strochnetter | Wendy Weber

www.mindfulatwork.co.nz

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Today

What is happiness?

What is mindfulness?

What’s the link?

Why be mindful everywhere?

A ‘taster’ exercise

Wrap-up…

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What is happy for you?

Close your eyes and think about a time when you felt happiness

Turn to the person next to you and describe what that happy feeling feels like for you – one minute each

Share with the room

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Now here’s a big question…

If everything in your life – house, job, weight, partner, family, income, Wellington weather etc – stayed exactly the same as it is now, could you be happier than you are right now?

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So what is mindfulness?

Giving your full attention to what’s happening right now

Being aware of your thoughts and emotions

Able to choose where to direct your attention

Able to respond (rather than react) to what is happening

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What goes on in your head?

Around 50,000 thoughts a day

Mostly same as yesterday

90% unconscious

Mostly negative & self-critical

Only 52% of thoughts we are aware of are on task

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Why does your mind wander?

Your brain has a built-in desire for stimulation

Dopamine is released to maintain a feel good state

Modern life feeds your distractible

monkey mind steroids

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Why practice mindfulness?

Mind - FULL (default) Mindfulness

Monkey mind vs Mastery of the mind

Future / Past thinking vs Present moment focus

Autopilot vs Conscious attention

Multitasking vs Mono-tasking

Stress reaction vs Considered response

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Mindfulness creates a space...

EventMind full

Mindful

Reaction

Event Mindful pause Response

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The myth of work-life balance

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Disengaged vs unattached

Not about finding peace by switching off

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Take a mindful pause...

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Happiness tips

The bad news is there aren’t any. Sorry.

Practicing mindfulness gives you the ability, tools, the space and understanding to create a happy life.

More bad news – you have no excuses, it’s all up to you

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Mindfulness tips

Practice paying attention to what you’re doingMove through your day one step (job) at a time Avoid multitasking Take proper breaks – get up - move aroundStop and take a few breaths between activities Practice the mini pause (or go for 60 seconds)Doodling / writing

www.mindfulatwork.co.nz