A STRANORLAR mindfulness expert is providing free online meditation sessions for nurses and health care workers on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aoibheann Gallen is the founder of Renew You, and has been involved in the Wellness Industry for well over two decades. She delivers mindfulness, meditation, and well-being sessions for children and adults and one-to one sessions in schools, youth group and communities across the North West.

Aoibheann started the free adult Zoom mindfulness mediation classes on Wednesday, May 6, at 8pm.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Aoibheann said the global pandemic has caused upheaval and stress in many people’s lives.

“People are on a treadmill at the minute; eating, sleeping and going to work. Frontline workers are away from their families and lots of people are experiencing new stresses. Through my four-week online zoom classes, I want to target adults who are home, Leaving Certificate students who are finding this time tough, doctors, nurses and health care workers who are working away from their families at this time. I hope these sessions will be a source of help, and help to boost their immune system, their health and well-being.”

Aoibheann also recently facilitated online mindfulness sessions for children and families across all of her social media platforms, which were described by those who took part as a lifeline. She contacted principals to ask them to spread the word about the sessions, and since revealing her plans uptake has been excellent.

“I would now be in the middle of teaching last term before summer, and so I felt it was important to still reach out and stay connected to them in this time. This situation is presenting different kinds of challenges to families. The sessions are once a week, and they are aimed at the entire family as well. So while youngsters do their PE sessions with Joe Wicks in the morning for their physical health, they can then log on to these free mediation sessions to keep their well-being healthy. The best of us need something like this, and children can pick up on stresses quite easily. This is about still reaching them while they are at home.”

Each session is about 25-30 minutes long.

“The focus on stripping worries and stresses away through breathing work, which relaxes the body and mind. This is about tackling the roller-coaster of emotions to help ground young people and help them with what they are going through.”

Aoibheann believes one positive of the pandemic has been the displays of unwavering community spirit. She believes people will continue to practice meditation after lockdown.

“This pandemic is the catalyst that has made people think about how to manage their worries and stress. Stress comes from a feeling of not feeling in control. People have been taken away from seeing their family and friends, nights out, Easter plans and playdates. We’re finding out what’s important and who is important. People are reaching out to practice online, and I can see it continuing into the future.”

Aoibheann is using her online meditation sessions to also raise money for local charity Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service (DDVS). Anyone who partakes in the free mindfulness meditation videos for children and families, or in the Zoom online meditation sessions are being encouraged to donate to DDVS.

“There are very vulnerable families at the minute. I spoke with Marie Hainsworth, manager of DDVS to see how I could help. There is no pressure on anyone (to donate), as I know this is a financially hard time for many families.”

Aoibheann’s free mindfulness meditation videos for children and families, are available on the following platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReNewYouMindfulnessMeditation; Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/renewyou_official_insta/; Youtube:  ReNew You – Aoibheann Gallen  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcH21Dr3maa8meBZCBu1Uug?view_as=subscriber; andTwitter: https://twitter.com/ReNewYou7

Anyone wishing to take part in adult Zoom mindfulness mediation classes are asked to

e-mail their name and e-mail address to info@renewyou.ie or send a direct message toy ReNew You – Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts, in order for me to send the Zoom link.

To donate to DDVS see www.idonate.ie/ReNewYou