Townsville veterans interested in reducing their stress levels are being urged to attend a full day retreat at James Cook University focused on meditation.
To be held this Saturday on JCU's Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville, the Mindful Warriors Full-Day Retreat will offer participants the chance to practice various mindfulness meditation techniques, including body scan, movement meditation, attention focus meditation, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and a BBQ which will focus on mindful eating and drinking.
JCU Associate Professor of Psychology Wendy Li said the retreat emerged out of JCU's successful Mindful Warriors program, which has been held during a morning every month on campus for veterans, their families and community members since August last year.
"Participants of the Mindful Warriors program have reported feeling calmer and finding it easier to concentrate, so they asked if we could do a full-day retreat on campus," she said.
"The retreat is an opportunity for veterans to come together and practice using different forms of mindfulness, including meditation, attention focus and Wayapa, which is an Indigenous wellness practice involving Earth connection and movement meditation."
Associate Prof Li said encouraging participants to look inward to find peace by bringing attention to their feelings benefitted their mental health.
"When our bodies slow down, our mind often follows," she said.
"The reason why people develop symptoms of anxiety is because our mind is running very fast and lots of things can occupy our mind.
"When we can slow down the process and bring attention to the present moment, it provides some space for the mind to be settled with the body."
The retreat, which is being held during Queensland Mental Health Week, follows previous mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs run by Associate Prof Li, which have been used to help local veterans and women who have experienced sexual, family or domestic violence.
"For community members and veterans especially, this retreat is an opportunity to enjoy a peaceful day for yourself in a supportive environment," Associate Prof Li said.
"Depending on the response from the community, we will consider holding more retreats at JCU in the future."
The retreat is funded by Queensland Mental Health Week, Townsville City Council, and Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation, and organised by the Mindfulness Lab @ JCU in collaboration with Townsville University Hospital's Mental Health Services unit.
To register, head to www.jcu.edu.au/events and search 'Mindful Warriors'.
The retreat will run from 9am to 3pm at Central Plaza on JCU's Bebegu Yumba Campus in Douglas.
