About a year ago, I started a journey to help me better manage my stress and improve my overall health and wellbeing, following a burnout and the diagnosis of several other physical health problems. All of my health problems seemed to point to the same source: stress. I had reached a point where I felt paralyzed by my past and possible future experiences, incapable of action in my invisible present.

       I came across the MBSR program purely by chance but the description immediately appealed to me as I had started reading about mindfulness through Thich Nhat Hanh’s books, yoga and other resources. I was already very receptive to being mindful so it felt rather instinctive, although I still learnt a lot.

       This course has taught me so many things and most importantly explained the scientific evidence and research to back the many benefits of bringing mindfulness into one’s life. This made the course and its teachings that much more powerful in my mind. I can honestly say I experienced this course as the most useful personal development course I have ever been on, teaching me skills that I will use constantly. I now feel happier and calmer than ever before as it feels like I now have an integrated stress reduction toolkit of sorts, accessible at all times and in all places. I feel like I could deal with almost any situation and be able to manage my stress to overcome it.

       During the course, I realized just how judgmental we are of ourselves and of others, and so too how detrimental our judgment is to our relationships and mental health. The fact that one can also rewire one’s brain into thinking positively was also an eye-opener. These realizations were really powerful.

       With MBSR, I have learnt how to deal with immediate or more long-term stressful situations, therefore eliminating the negative impact stress used to have on me. I have also learnt to let go, be friendlier, more compassionate and non-judgmental. I can turn my mood around positively very effectively and feel good. It is fair to say I am healing myself and improving the quality of my relationships. I am loving and accepting myself as I am, but also others as they are and am much happier than before. I have ceased to try to understand everyone or make sense of everything and am going more with the flow.

       As a mother, I have also taken back some much-needed time to care for myself, to meditate and really just enjoy being. It is fair to say I am more focused on what matters truly, the little things of every moment and the big things of life: love and compassion.

       The skills that I have learnt on this MBSR program are not only going to help me in so many ways but also help me help my children with their anxiety. This is a powerful lifestyle change, a little like a renaissance for a more fulfilling, happy and positive life.