1 hr 4 min
Accepting the Challenge of Change - Dr Chris Westoby The Hack Podcast
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- Business
Do you ever feel like the world is just too much? That you can't keep up with the demands of everyday life? If so, you're not alone. In today's podcast, Leon, Paul and Jo chat with Dr Christopher Westoby, Programme Director of MA Creative Writing at the University of Hull. They discuss the value of mindfulness and other creative pathways to becoming more focused and content and accepting the challenge of change to cope with our hectic world.
In this episode, Chris tells us that his first book, The Fear Talking: The True Story of a Young Man and Anxiety (2020), is a true story of how his mental condition collided with his early adulthood. He now applies the same research techniques found in Creative Writing to other subjects, including gender inequality in higher education institutions and social media’s effect in the aftermath of a suicide. Chris believes that educating others about his experiences is critical and assisting others in the process helps him just as much.
What's Discussed?
Mindfulness
The team discuss how mindfulness is being aware of the present moment and not getting caught up in thoughts about the past or the future. It can help us focus on our actions and be more present in our lives.
Chris explains how he tries to bring mindfulness into his everyday life by paying attention to the simple things he does, like walking or hugging someone. The point is to focus on the sensations you're experiencing in the present moment rather than letting your mind wander off.
The books that most greatly influenced his life includes “wherever you go, there you are.” and “Full catastrophe living”, both by Jon Kabat-Zinn's which are based on his renowned mindfulness-based stress reduction program.
Chris explains how his "mind is too trapped in catastrophising and thinking of different scenarios that he is afraid of. Mindfulness is a way to try and pay more attention to the surroundings and hence kind of like snap out of whatever it is I'm thinking about, even if it's just for a second."
These two particular books are about learning mindfulness and meditation practices but being aware of the lives that we live in and what and how that might take shape.
Practice is key to meditation and it's important to be consistent with mindfulness. It takes time to make a change in your life. You have to keep at it; eventually, it becomes second nature.
Read full blog - Think Cloud
Do you ever feel like the world is just too much? That you can't keep up with the demands of everyday life? If so, you're not alone. In today's podcast, Leon, Paul and Jo chat with Dr Christopher Westoby, Programme Director of MA Creative Writing at the University of Hull. They discuss the value of mindfulness and other creative pathways to becoming more focused and content and accepting the challenge of change to cope with our hectic world.
In this episode, Chris tells us that his first book, The Fear Talking: The True Story of a Young Man and Anxiety (2020), is a true story of how his mental condition collided with his early adulthood. He now applies the same research techniques found in Creative Writing to other subjects, including gender inequality in higher education institutions and social media’s effect in the aftermath of a suicide. Chris believes that educating others about his experiences is critical and assisting others in the process helps him just as much.
What's Discussed?
Mindfulness
The team discuss how mindfulness is being aware of the present moment and not getting caught up in thoughts about the past or the future. It can help us focus on our actions and be more present in our lives.
Chris explains how he tries to bring mindfulness into his everyday life by paying attention to the simple things he does, like walking or hugging someone. The point is to focus on the sensations you're experiencing in the present moment rather than letting your mind wander off.
The books that most greatly influenced his life includes “wherever you go, there you are.” and “Full catastrophe living”, both by Jon Kabat-Zinn's which are based on his renowned mindfulness-based stress reduction program.
Chris explains how his "mind is too trapped in catastrophising and thinking of different scenarios that he is afraid of. Mindfulness is a way to try and pay more attention to the surroundings and hence kind of like snap out of whatever it is I'm thinking about, even if it's just for a second."
These two particular books are about learning mindfulness and meditation practices but being aware of the lives that we live in and what and how that might take shape.
Practice is key to meditation and it's important to be consistent with mindfulness. It takes time to make a change in your life. You have to keep at it; eventually, it becomes second nature.
Read full blog - Think Cloud
1 hr 4 min