{"id":8,"date":"2020-04-28T15:13:18","date_gmt":"2020-04-28T15:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/?p=8"},"modified":"2023-06-16T19:10:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T19:10:30","slug":"urban-sketching-and-mindfulness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/urban-sketching-and-mindfulness\/","title":{"rendered":"Urban Sketching and Mindfulness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Urban Sketching, Mental Health & Mindfulness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a world where norms are everchanging, where we are overloaded with pressure seemingly applied from every direction (including our own minds) and where technology shapes and reshapes our experience constantly, we are increasingly more aware of the prevalence of mental health issues across all sectors of society and across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are as many treatments to mental health issues as there are issues themselves. In an attempt to move away from medicating ALL conditions a number of techniques have been developed over the years. One such technique is mindfulness. With its roots in zen Buddhism, mindfulness has been proven to have a beneficial effect on mental health by practitioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to practice mindfulness, such as meditation or yoga. Drawing and creating art can also be utilised as a way to practice mindfulness. I believe urban sketching takes this practice to the next level, encompassing many facets of mindfulness, leading to improved mental health (amongst many other benefits).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

450 million people currently suffer from a mental illness.  Mental health illnesses are one of the leading causes of disability and disease worldwide.<\/strong><\/p>World Health Organisation<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is Mindfulness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mindfulness has very much been in vogue for the last few years, with a huge rise in content dedicated to the matter, including apps (\u201cCalm\u201d springs to mind) and even technology to help you measure the quality of your meditation!  This always makes me chuckle – it just seems ironic.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a multitude of definitions of mindfulness but I think the essence is: be present.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the extremely distilled, most simple explanation I can give and the one I like the best.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a fun short little cartoon taking that definition of mindfulness a tiny step further:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/w6T02g5hnT4<\/a>