Mindfulness Skills4Life, 6 Monson Park, Skellingthorpe (2025)

12/11/2025

☀️ Finding Light in the Darker Months

Tuesday mornings are one of my favourites — not just because they mark the start of the week and my creative mindfulness sessions, but because my drive to work coincides with one of my must-listens: BBC Radio 4’s “All in the Mind.”

(And before you judge me for being an oldie at heart… I still love Pete Tong and the classic trance DJs too! 🎶 Balance, right?)

Yesterday, I instantly recognised the voice of Dr Stephanie Fitzgerald — an expert I’ve had the pleasure of meeting through Champion Health and whose workshops I’ve attended before.

She was sharing insights on understanding winter and how we can live a little brighter through the darker, cooler months.

Such a lovely listen and a timely reminder that wellbeing isn’t seasonal — but our habits can be.

From getting outside in natural light, to staying connected, to weaving moments of mindfulness into the shorter days — small shifts can make a big difference to how we feel and function.

If you haven’t tuned in before, I highly recommend “All in the Mind.” You might just find yourself a little mindful spot in the week to pause, listen, and reflect.

Here is the link..
https://lnkd.in/ekDVNVT3

Dr. Sands
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

11/11/2025

🌿 Strength in Connection: Building Wellbeing Together 🌿

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of joining a networking day hosted by Mike Farley, Community Connector at LPFT (Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) — part of his inspiring Partnership Board meeting.

Mike has a real gift for bringing people and organisations together — those who share a passion for community wellbeing — from NHS teams and voluntary groups to independent providers like me. 💚

Through his support and funding, my own community creative mindfulness work has been able to reach more people, helping to nurture calm, resilience and connection across our local communities.

It was such an uplifting morning — full of stories, ideas and shared purpose from those working across the full spectrum of wellbeing:

🩺 From the clinical to the creative
🎨 From structured support to spontaneous moments of connection
🌱 From individual care to community transformation

We also celebrated the wonderful work happening at Moorland Community Centre, where Vicki and Amy have lovingly transformed a once-delicate building into a vibrant hub of belonging, joy and wellbeing. 🌸

What touched me most was the sense of unity — every conversation reflected one simple truth:
✨ When the NHS, voluntary sector and independent practitioners come together, we create something far greater than the sum of our parts — a true community of care, compassion and connection. ✨

I left feeling deeply grateful — for partnership, for shared vision, and for the privilege of playing a small part in a flourishing, resilient Lincolnshire.

So lovely to share hugs and chats with Amanda Whitehead 🤗 Johanna Thompson, Liam Kelly (great to bump into you again!) and to finally meet you, Linda Radford — we definitely got the jumper memo! 🧶💚

— Dr. Sands
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

10/11/2025

DOTS & DOODLES

LAST MINUTE SPACES ARE AVAIABLE

🌀 Mindful Doodling – Tomorrow Morning 🌀

Tomorrow, we’ll be transforming a simple grid of dots into a beautiful woven pattern — adding colour, nature-inspired shapes, and a few new doodle ideas as we go.

If you can write your name, or recognise a line, dot, squiggle, curve, triangle or circle — you can do this!

You don’t need to be “arty” at all. Each piece unfolds stroke by stroke, line by line, through a calm, structured approach that allows creativity to emerge naturally.

✨ What is mindful doodling?
It’s a gentle, meditative art form that helps calm the nervous system and bring focus to the present moment. As we slow down and draw with awareness, the busy mind softens, and a sense of quiet joy and ease begins to grow.

There are plenty of wonderful side benefits too :
reduced stress,
improved focus,
felling calm, relaxed and switched off
and a lovely sense of community connection.

Add to that a comfy venue, scrumptious cakes, tea and coffee… it’s a real midweek treat! ☕🍰 LLincoln and District Indoor Bowling Club
We’ll also be taking a moment of silence at 11am to honour Remembrance.

A few spaces left — come and join this kind, creative little circle tomorrow 💫

📍 Lincoln Indoor Bowls Club
🕚 Tuesday 11am–12.30pm, £5 cash on the door
🌿 All materials provided

To book these last minute places, please drop me and email at:
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

Dr. Sands x

09/11/2025

THE YOUNG WHO HONOUR THEIR ELDERS..

I'm really proud of all our young Scouts, Cubs, Beavers from 23rd Lincoln Scout Group as they paraded, carried flags and stood as symbols of remembrance at their village church service today.

Each especially smart, and reverend in their uniform, bright in spirit and respectful.

These children and young people who are so fortunate to not have been exposed to the fears and horror of war...and yet, stand tall to show that the actions of the brave "young of old', matters, that all our war hero's matter...

Thanks the Scouting movement for being present, enabling our young to honour the fallen...

You looked very smart my boy, thank you for your place in remembrance...

Lest We Forget

Sands
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

08/11/2025

Saturday be like...

Of course, there is always doing and chores...I had to do food shopping and cleaning yesterday ( we have visitors coming today).

However, in the majority of times are hearts are more full when we shift towards activities that bring us joy....

What's on your 'love' list today?

How will your recharge your mind and body?
..and have the pathway of being a bit more awesome...

Go well, Sands
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

06/11/2025

A HUGE THANKS

thanks to you beautiful friends for taking the time to say happy birthday to me.

I read and taken in an your good feelings and generosity. Thank you so, very much.

Much love, Sands x

-------'

🎁 The Gift of Trust, Courage, Connection and Compassion

It’s my birthday this week — and like many of us, I’ll receive some lovely gifts.
But honestly, the greatest gift I’ve received lately isn’t something you can wrap.

Over the last few days, I’ve had the privilege of working 1-to-1 with four incredible humans.
All of them exceptional professionals — some also parents — each with something powerful in common:
they value their wellbeing, want to reduce stress, and are committed to understanding themselves more deeply.

Each of them has chosen me to be their guide — to walk beside them as they explore their personal and professional growth.
And that trust… is a gift.

Working 1-to-1 with someone is never just about tools, credentials, or qualifications (though of course those matter).
It’s about trust — the courage to open up.
It’s about connection — the safe, authentic relationship we build together.
It’s about compassion — meeting ourselves with kindness, not judgment.

In my work, the relationship itself is the practice.
Without authenticity, nothing can grow.
With it — everything can shift.

So, to my clients — past and present — thank you.
Thank you for choosing to do the brave inner work.
Thank you for trusting me with your stories, your questions, your hopes, and your growth.

This week, as I celebrate another year of life, I’m reflecting that the relationships I build through this work are the best gift of all.

05/11/2025

🌸 Bloom or Boom?

Yesterday I shared my mega week — full, purposeful, and meaningful… and also, a lot.

It raised a question I’ve been sitting with:

💭 How do we look after the one doing all the hard work — our mind, brain, and heart — and still make time to rest, move, and care for ourselves?

Because when the pace and pressure build, we can easily tip from bloom (thriving) to boom (overloaded).

🧠 Here’s the science bit:
When we’re under ongoing stress, the brain’s threat system switches on — cortisol rises, focus narrows, empathy drops.

We might still get things done, but we lose creativity, clarity, and connection — the very qualities that help us do our best work and feel good while doing it.

That’s where mindfulness comes in.

It’s not about doing less — it’s about doing things differently — with more self-awareness, choice, focus, self-care, and balance.

Even a short pause to check in and truly know how you are, or one deep, conscious breath can calm the stress response, re-engage focus, and bring emotional buoyancy, cognitive power, and relational ease back online.

✨ So today, a gentle reminder:
Your mind is the tool you use for everything.
Take care of it. Give it rest. Let it bloom. 🌿

If this resonates, you might love working with me 1–2–1 to build your own Mindfulness Skills4Life — tools you can call on at work and at home to keep your productivity, performance, engagement, and wellbeing topped up day after day.

💚
Dr. Sands
📧 sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

04/11/2025

Where did Monday go? 😅

Ever have one of those weeks that seems to take off before you’ve even had time to strap in?

This is one of those weeks: full, meaningful, and a little bit mega!

Here’s a quick snapshot of my working week 👇

🧠 Monday
Meetings galore — with my business colleague Will Crawford as we plan our next Wellbeing Retreat (March 2026), with Tom Stansfield and Paul Green discussing all things human performance and brain stuff!
Then a wonderful session with my client at Trent Valley GP Surgery.

🏫 Tuesday
AM: Mindful doodling community group — art, calm, connection, and the gentle joy of creative flow (this week we’re creating Christmas cards 🎄).
Then I’ll be writing up client notes and developing bespoke wellbeing roadmaps.
PM: Mindfulness and meditation group with 15 guests — exploring becoming more patient in a fast-paced world and what triggers our impatience.

🌳 Wednesday
Three 1–2–1 client sessions — supporting individuals to manage stress and deepen self-awareness through mindfulness and neuroscience.

👥 Thursday
Welcoming a new guest to my gorgeous home studio for their first 1–2–1.
An online project meeting for an upcoming 2026 event.
Then time to write up notes and reflect.

🎨 Friday
At last — coffee and cake with one of my besties Kate Strawson in Woodhall Spa ☕🍰
Followed by a meeting at Bainland Retreats with Ellie Sykes.

(All this before the mum-admin even begins... 😅)

It’s a week rich in people, purpose, and possibility — and yes, it can also take a lot and give a lot.

✨ So how do I keep my focus, fit in movement, and maintain engagement, wellbeing, and productivity through it all?

✨ Answers in the comments… 👇

Here’s to full hearts, full weeks — and mindful moments in between. 💚

What helps you stay grounded and engaged during your busiest weeks?

—
Dr. Sands
📧 sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

02/11/2025

READYING UP FOR GOING BACK TO WORK
🌿 Gentle Planning & Calm Doing 🌿

I’ve spent a few hours sorting the office, clearing space and creating calm and ready to welcome my 1–2–1 clients this week (three amazing humans working on their wellbeing and stress reduction through my favourite mix of mindfulness, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence 💫).

Then came a little time for forward planning… some exciting collaborative meetings in the diary for this week and early seeds being planted for 2026 (how wild is that!).

🧘‍♀️ Tuesday Daytime, 4th Nov –Mindful doodling

Closer to home, I’ve been sketching templates and ideas for our Mindful Doodling & Creative Mindfulness group starting 4th November Lincoln and District Indoor Bowling Club. This first sessions sees us making Christmas cards! 🎄 We even have a plan to turn our designs into printed cards and packs for sale — can’t wait to see what unfolds.

No experience of art, craft is needed...

🧘‍♀️ Tuesday Evening, 4th Nov – Online Mindfulness & Meditation Group 🧘‍♂️

This week we’ll be exploring the attitude of patience — noticing what patience feels like in the body, and gently identifying the triggers or blocks that make it hard to stay patient in everyday life (which is exactly why we all need a healthy dose of self-compassion too 💛).

A small group of kind, compassionate, non-judgemental meditators — you’re so welcome to join us.
👉 https://www.mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk/courses-and-services/drop-in-sessions

All in all, through the gentle rhythm of doing, it’s been a calm, mindful kind of day: attention focused, mind soft, and body steady. 🌸

If you fancy having a go at mindful doodling or join our meditation group drop me and email or book directly using the link.

A warm welcome awaits you.

Love,
Dr. Sands

sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

01/11/2025

THOSE 3 LITTLE WORDS..

A funny thing happened today.

Despite it once beng a regular practice, it's not happened for ages, and that's what made take notice of it.

In fact it was so striking it took my breath away..

As I was getting ready, dressed, drying my hair, moisturising, I looked straight at myself in the mirror...

And then it was like my heart opened

And I said to myself

I

LOVE

YOU

SANDS

And then the most beautiful smile came, a could feel a warmth of caring, kindness and a strong pulseyness expanding across my chest and throat.

What a moment, to say that you genuinely care so much ...

I used to 'do' this as an actual compassion-based meditation practice... it was hard at first, and it felt wooden and clunky.

But today, it happened so spontaneously and it was magical, like I was surrounded by all the love in the world.

Maybe it sounds a bit weird, but equally it makes sense I think

Connection is the foundation of humanity, connecting to nature, others and ourselves.

As for giving it a go yourself, why the heck not....?

Try it as you walk past a mirror or when getting ready, maybe with some soft starter phrases

- hello my friend, I see you

- hey (your name), I really care for you

- (your name) i am on your side today

and if and when...

- I love you.., this one

And notice what happens...warm, open, weird and clunky.

Your brain is listening always, and the feelings will catch up in their own time...

Dr. Sands
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

30/10/2025

YOU HOLD THE KEY

When you develop higher levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence (aka qualities developed through being mindful), you start to make choices, act in ways that are aligned with your values.

You can move in a fast paced modern world without compromising who you are.

You understand that 'no' is a complete sentence.

You live and work in ways that foster your wellbeing.

You know what a boundary is.

You don’t have to conform or strive to be like everyone else.

And thank goodness you don't have to waste endless amounts of time trying to portray a happy,perfect life on social media...

Because, when you live from a place of being mindful you truly get to trust yourself, trust the unknown and free from the 'should-ing' of others.

Quite a relief...

That seems quite a savvy way to be, if you ask me.

Do pop me a message if this post resonates with you, or if you want to book in a consultant.

Dr. Sands
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

28/10/2025

HOME GROWN & HOME MADE

Today I cherished a visit to a beloved friend 🧡, and I was thinking about a wee treat to take.

Chocs?
Shop bought flowers?
Bath stuff?

At the home of my heart-led business, Mindfulness Skills4Life, we have our own little 'present cupboard'.

It consists of thoughtful gifts we've lovingly made, have mindful meanings, or ethically sourced.

And the home made ones of course they are a bit like me: 'wabi-sabi'

(look it up)

It was pure joy to take a home grown succulent, nurtured over many, many months, and, a hand-made soy candle, lightly scented with rose.

It smells so gentle, soothing and wholesome and this wee plant species is exceptionally resilient.

It makes my heart feel light and bright giving these over to my precious friend knowing each have contained oodles of love and generosity of time.

And I've left her house, our hearts attuned, time given in sharing and listening, savouring hugs, and spirits well and truly lifted.

Authentic connection is everything.

You just know when it's there, because it's easy..and that's one of the most precious gifts you can give: your true self, time and undivided presence.

Go well,

Dr. Sands
sandra@mindfulness-skills4life.co.uk

Mindfulness Skills4Life

12/11/2025

11/11/2025

10/11/2025

09/11/2025

08/11/2025

06/11/2025

05/11/2025

04/11/2025

02/11/2025

01/11/2025

30/10/2025

28/10/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category