Mindfulness-based Training Stress Reduction | Burnout Prevention | Staff Care www.mindfulnessforngos.org info@mindfulnessforngos.

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You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf' -- Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program

Mindfulness for Stress and Burnout

8-week course in East Jerusalem
When: Starting Tuesday 27th March 2012 at 6.30-8.00pm for 8 consecutive Tuesdays Where: in Sheikh Jarrah, near the American Colony Hotel (Nablus Rd)
The course is based on the mindfulness programme designed at Oxford University, and it is aimed at NGOs staff and volunteers interested in looking after their own psychological health. The training offers an oasis to stop and refuel, where participants can acquire practical tools, and a new mindset to manage stress, prevent burnout, as well as have a space to process the physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that often comes with NGO work. The course is not group therapy. Incorporating both Eastern secular meditation practices and modern Western psychology, the programme is suitable for people who on a daily basis experience the stressful Israeli-Palestinian situation.

The course consists of 8 x 90-minute group sessions including guided meditation practices and some theoretical teaching on stress, burnout, and how to best look after yourself. In between sessions participants are invited to practice what has been learned in each session (about 20 min. per day). Participants will receive a CD of meditations guided by mindfulness expert at Oxford University Prof. Mark Williams, handouts and the book Mindfulness. A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World. All sessions are in English. The cost for the 8-week programme is $350 by cash or PayPal. The cost includes all teaching materials and ongoing individual attention during the course if needed.

Further info & registration info@mindfulnessforngos.org

www.mindfulnessforngos.org

CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATION: MARCH 25th

In partnership withThe Oxford Mindfulness Centre of Oxford University

Over 40% of humanitarians suffer from burnout syndrome. But what is burnout?
If you are you feeling exhausted, empty, cynical, trapped, angry or just not there, or are working harder but getting less done you are not alone, and may be at risk of burnout.

What is burnout? Burnout syndrome is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged work-related stress. It occurs when one feels overwhelmed and unable to meet constant work/life demands. As the stress continues, one begins to lose the interest and/or motivation. Physical and emotional collapse is common. What are the effects of burnout for humanitarians and NGOs? Burnout reduces productivity and saps ones energy, leaving those affected feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, resentful and depressed. Burnout syndrome is an occupational hazard for many organizations. Can burnout be prevented? Yes, by learning and integrating simple self-care practices in your daily life to develop awareness of your stress triggers and cultivate a balance between frontline work and personal life. Drawing on the Oxford University Mindfulness programme, this course aims at teaching you this. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a form of mind training based on secular meditation practices (there is no chanting, no incense and no spiritual approach involved in this course). Mindfulness helps us to develop mind-body awareness and restore within yourself a balanced sense of health and well-being. This requires increased awareness of all aspects of self, including body and mind, heart and soul. Mindfulness teaches us to be more gentle with ourselves, and offers a a way of learning to relate directly to whatever is happening in your life, a way of taking charge of your life, a way of doing something for yourself that no one else can do for you consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain, and the challenges and demands of everyday life (Jon Kabat-Zinn). ***

About Alessandra Pigni, course facilitator I am an independent clinical psychologist, staff-care consultant and founder of Mindfulness for NGOs, a staffcare project endorsed by the Oxford Mindfulness Centre (Oxford University). In my work I combine my experience as a clinical psychologist and former aid worker, with the practice and understanding of mindfulness meditation to work with stress, burnout and trauma related conditions, providing group training and 1-1 psychological mentoring. I understand the aid-workers psychological needs as I have been there myself when working for MSF. I am an accredited psychologist, a member of the British Psychological Society and of the Italian Psychological Society.

In partnership withThe Oxford Mindfulness Centre of Oxford University

*** Some feedback and reflections from course participants in East Jerusalem:
Very much needed in this context, please keep up the good work. I learned to reduce my life speed, enjoy the present moment, focus. Be gentle with myself. What has been the impact of the course in my life? Less stress, Im handling my burnout and Im learning that I can be less controlling of what cannot be controlled. I didnt have a lot of expectations from the course, but I have to admit that I learnt more than one thing that I can use in my daily life. What did I get out of this course? To love myself and to respect the work I am doing. I learned to enjoy what I do step by step and not do 100 things at the same time. I expected some techniques to reduce stress, but I learned much more about myself than that. I found helpful that there was not a one-size fit all approach or that things had to be done in a certain way. I liked how things, conversations, and learning developed very organically. I learned from others reflections. It was good to do the process with others. It opened by eyes to new things, very important things that I wasnt aware of. I learned that I am not the only one whose brain doesnt have quiet time and always has a million thoughts. I learned to be gentle with myself as I am usually very harsh. The length of the course was just right, and each session passed very quickly.

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In partnership withThe Oxford Mindfulness Centre of Oxford University