Stress: some facts
  • 1 in 10 of population are diagnosed with depression

  • The number of anti depressant drugs prescribed has risen 4 fold in the last 20 years

  • In 2009 doctors issued 39.1 million prescriptions for depression
              (source: Office of National Statistics.)


The chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) say that stress is now the number one reason for people being sick and having time off work.
"Stress is like spice - in the right proportions it enhances the flavour of a dish. Too little produces a bland, dull meal, too much may choke you."
 Donald Tubesing                                                              
Since the 1990's there has been a wealth of research into what happens to the brain in meditation.
Scientific research has shown that regular meditation can increase Alpha and Theta brain wave activity which are associated with relaxation and creativity.
During meditation the brain slows down and this continues after meditation has stopped.
​It is this slowing down of the brain that brings so many benefits to the mind and body.
"Recent research indicates that meditation brings about dramatic effects in as little as a 10 min session. Several studies have demonstrated that subjects who meditate for a short time showed increased alpha waves (the relaxed brain waves) and decreased anxiety and depression"
Cary Barbour: Psychology Today. May 1st 2001 (last reviewed Sept 3rd 2010)
For those of you that wish to deepen your meditation practice it is also a wonderful way to get to know your mind and observe thoughts. Mindfulness practice helps to root our experience in the present moment  - we observe our mind thinking without judgement and learn to just be with whatever arises. We don't follow the story line to make the experience pleasant or unpleasant. It helps to restore our equanimity in the face of life's inevitable difficulties.