Manchester Let’s Meditate is a new online community event and fundraising initiative, and it’s open to everyone to help support people during these difficult times of lockdown. It’s set to take place over seven days, starting Monday February 8th, and was created and developed by Forever Manchester supporter, Liane Grimshaw – a local small business owner who found meditation helped to overcome her own depression and anxiety. Forever Manchester is a charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester. They believe that connected communities make stronger, happier communities, and love to promote any activity that brings people together.
We all know of the increased stresses and strains of these uncertain times and more people are suffering with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and generally worrying about the future. Most of us are stuck at home, working from home while juggling added pressures of childcare and isolation from our loved ones. As such, you’re not alone if you find yourself struggling with negative thoughts and feelings.
But when everything seems out of our control and the uncertainty seems unbearable, there are tools which can help you cope, like meditation, an act which enables us to slow down, let our mind unwind and our body let go of stress.
There’s lots of benefits to meditation, including:
Calms your busy mind and helps you find a greater sense of peace
Reduces stress, frustration, depression and pain while increasing happiness
Heightens levels of acceptance and compassion
Develops strength and confidence to deal with anything life throws at you
Helps you learn how to let go of the things that no longer serve you
Improves both the quantity and quality of your sleep
Improves personal relationships
Gives you greater control over emotional reactions to people and situations
Reduces the physical and mental symptoms of stress and anxiety
Improves memory, focus and concentration
Helps you become more present and less distracted
Helps you develop a greater sense of enjoyment in life
Liane, the host and curator of Manchester Let’s Meditate, said: “I lead a busy life with many challenges, and I can honestly say that meditation has saved my mind and improved my experience of life. “I am bringing many outstanding teachers, who have given their time and energy for free to support this event.”
Vicky Procter, Assistant Marketing Manager at Forever Manchester, added: “Manchester Let’s Meditate encapsulates the essence of what fundraising for Forever Manchester is all about – helping local people do extraordinary things together. “It’s a tough time for everyone and Manchester Let’s Meditate is all about developing skills to improve our mental wellbeing, learn about mindfulness and generally bring our community together for something positive albeit online. We encourage everyone to book a session and donate however much or little as you can.”
Calling all parents & teachers 📢
This session in the Manchester Let's Meditate series gives you the knowledge to help kids be calmer, less irritable and more mindful, especially when home-schooling.#ManchesterMeditates
So whether you’re already an expert in meditation or simply wanting to try something new for 2021, Manchester Let’s Meditate is the perfect event to learn skills for both body and mind to last a lifetime, all while raising money for Forever Manchester to fund and support our local communities across Greater Manchester.
Meditation is a skill anyone can develop and it’s a way of training the mind, exactly like you train your body in the gym – the more you do it, the greater the benefits you will enjoy.
Meditation costs nothing, can be done anywhere, by anyone, with no special equipment needed. You don’t have to be religious or into spirituality and science has proved its beneficial effect on our health, both physically and mentally.
You can find more info, view sessions, book online and make a donation by visiting the website here.