A positive frame of mind

UNISON member Darren Buckland is an assistant practitioner with the Community Neurology Service in Nottingham, an integrated NHS and local authority team helping people with neurological conditions. He works primarily with people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. As part of his job he’s been taking part in a project that has started to use mindfulness, a meditative technique, in working with patients – not just with Parkinson’s, but multiple sclerosis, Huntingdon’s disease and epilepsy. Darren and his colleagues spend time with patients, helping them to look at their negative thought processes, as well as teaching strategies for managing anxiety, stress and depression. But as a practising Buddhist, he’s a firm believer in mindfulness as a technique that can be helpful for any one of us tackling today’s increasing pressures. “Mindfulness is about the connection between the body and the senses, your feelings, thoughts, emotions – to understand what’s going on,” he explains. “It’s all about awareness of how you work, about not being inward and only focussed on yourself, but feeling positive emotion, thinking of others, being inclusive. “Sometimes things are difficult in your life and they’re not going to change. Mindfulness can help to bring some acceptance to that. Instead of feeling lost, it helps you get a bit of distance, to make more informed, creative choices rather than acting habitually.” To that end, Darren has started a mindfulness...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Magazine NHS u magazine Source Type: news