The concept of “mindfulness” and “being mindful” is mentioned often these days due to the many uncertainties that have entered people’s lives in the past few months. Whether it is job security, health, or even loss of a loved one, there have been many stressors that cause people to run away from the present and suffer from living with an unhealthy mindset.

Being stuck at home all day or not even being able to meet up with friends due to restrictions on visitors or seating limits in restaurants/bars/cafes have further contributed to an imbalance in one’s life. Thankfully, there are many organizations that are offering much needed assistance in mental health, such as the Beijing Mindfulness Centre, who will be hosting a free mindfulness webinar tomorrow, March 23, from 8.30pm – 9.30pm.

Webinar: Stress in the Time of COVID-19, Mar 23

Theo A. Cope holds his MA and Ph.D. in Psychology and a B.A. in Gerontology. He is a certified Family Consultant and a Positive Psychotherapist (PPT), with certification granted by the World Association of Positive Psychotherapy in Wiesbaden, Germany. PPT is a trans-cultural therapeutic method, which began in 1968 by Dr. Nossrat Peseschkian.

He has lived and taught in different regions of China for the past 18 years and written on various themes of psychology and philosophy. He is the author of two books in the field of psychology. He practices mindfulness meditation regularly, uses mindfulness skills professionally and has integrated mindfulness into the topics he lectures on. Dr. Cope has given lectures and workshops for international companies in China as well as at international conferences.

At BMC, Dr. Cope delivers sessions on Shadow and Meditation, Psychology of Mindfulness, Thoughts Inside Psyche, etc. At this presentation on Mar 23, Dr. Cope will address how we can continue to adapt to this current crisis by providing a framework based on Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy and an approach of dealing with stress based on the idea of Stress Surfing. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation and throughout as well.

Loving Kindness Online Free Sessions, 8:30pm from Tuesday to Sunday until the end of March

Dalida, the founder of the Beijing Mindfulness Centre (BMC), told us that she has been conducting a call every night at 8.30pm on Zoom for people who are needing assistance with stress and anxiety. BMC will continue with their online loving kindness sessions until the end of March.

If you want to join their online Loving Kindness sessions, you can scan the QR code above. For previous recorded sessions, you can check out their website.

Photos: wellhappypeaceful.com, beijingmindfulness.com

The COVID-19 quarantine, uncertainty about the future, and the emotional and mental exhaustion that comes from managing home and work life have been a burden on everyone, but they have been especially taxing on professional working women.

In response, the Beijing-based Bearapy, an organizational consultancy with the mission to make workplaces mentally healthy, has partnered with AmCham China’s Women’s Professional Committee, to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day (Sunday, March 8).

On Tuesday, March 10, the two groups will host an online webinar which will give women a space to, “learn, share, and discuss how to support each other through this difficult time.” Moreover, the event will feature accomplished professional women who will speak on various topics regarding the importance of mental and emotional well-being. The event is free, however participants must register by 11am on Monday, March 9.

Su Cheng Harris-Simpson

“I am very excited that AmCham China will have this webinar to celebrate all the amazing women that have contributed personally and professionally to our families, workplaces, and communities all year long, especially during this challenging time!” said Su Cheng Harris-Simpson, social entrepreneur and Founder of SCHSAsia. As an AmCham China representative and the host / organizer of the event, Harris-Simpson is nothing short of ecstatic, saying, “By coming together to learn, share and support each other, we will over come and even find comfort, joy and peace!”

Enoch Li

Enoch Li, Social Entrepreneur and Managing Director of Bearapy, added she’s excited by “the fact that this is a sharing space that can contain the whole range of emotions and experience, and not just a, ‘Let’s show everyone how well we are doing’ type of event, means there is authentic discussions and genuine sharing and caring for each other in the community.”

When asked about why they think mental well-being is important for (online) working environments during the epidemic, Li stressed that, “for these challenging times, we may experience more intensely the feelings of anxiety, worry, fear, isolation, loneliness, and for a prolonged period of time. If we do not address or process our experiences, we end up suppressing them, and it can come back to bite us.”

Li elaborated, “as there is no day-to-day human contact, it is harder for us to detect how our colleagues and friends are really doing simply through the phone screen. So, we must take an extra proactive step to think about mental well-being in trying times.”

READ MORE: To Play or Not to Play? Enoch Li Explains Her Journey Towards Discovering Bearapy 

As for future events, Harris-Simpson told us that, “AmCham China will continue to support the needs of our members with great webinars like this one.” As an AmCham Board of Governors and the Co-Chair of the Women’s Professional Committee, Harris-Simpson is committed to organizing regular events that help empower women, such as the Women’s Economy Summit in October.

WEBINAR: International Women’s Day Celebration, Mar 10 

Free. 2-3.30pm, Mar 10. Online event access through Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams (web or app) is required to access this webinar. Registration will close on Monday, March 9, at 11am. Registration is required and a weblink / URL will be provided for successful registrants to access the webinar through Microsoft Teams on Monday afternoon (For more information please check here).

**Tickets are limited and preference will be given to AmCham China members and employees of AmCham China member companies.

Photos: courtesy of Enoch Li and Su Cheng Harris-Simpson