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Mindfulness and self-compassion
for wellbeing
8 weeks course in mindfulness and self-compassion
​Getting old is bittersweet. As we age, we gain wisdom, experience and deeper relationships. We have a greater appreciation of life's simple pleasures. Unfortunately, ageing also comes with difficult challenges. Mindfulness and Self-compassion can help us to deal with the many physical, emotional, and social difficulties we encounter as we age.
This 8-week Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Wellbeing course is specifically designed for older adults who wish to enhance their quality of life. Whether you are navigating changes in sleep patterns, seeking deeper relaxation, enriching your relationships or simply wanting to savour life more fully, this course provides practical tools grounded in mindfulness and self-compassion research.
No previous mindfulness or meditation experience is required.
This is a course offered to members of the Broadbeach-Central Gold Coast U3A presented by Marie Bloomfield, Clinical Psychologist.
This course is sponsored by Broadbeach-Central Gold Coast U3A, Australia.
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion for Wellbeing
8 weeks course
Presented by Marie Bloomfield, clinical psychologist
Location
Burleigh Water Community Centre, 111 Christine Ave, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220
Date & Time
Starting on the 2nd February 2026; 9:30 - 11:30 am
Free to member of the Broadbeach - Central Gold Coast U3A
For more information about this course you can contact Marie Bloomfield directly​
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How can we have more happiness as we age?
As we age, we begin to notice an unwelcome decline in what we once took for granted. The life changes that we experience as we get older can have a positive and negative impact on our mental and physical health. We all need to adjust to a new lifestyle, as our children leave home, retire, become grandparents, lose loved ones, or deal with health issues. Mindfulness and self-compassion consist of strategies that can help us to embrace the unpleasant changes that are an inevitable part of growing old and better appreciate the good times.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness involves being present & fully engaged in the current moment, enhancing awareness & clarity. Practicing mindfulness can reduce stress, improve focus and ease difficult emotions. It can be easily integrated into our daily life to boost overall wellbeing.
What is self-compassion?
Self-compassion means we respond to our difficult experiences with kindness, rather than harsh self-criticism, in the same way we treat a friend or loved one in times of struggle. We cultivate an awareness of our experiences, feelings, and thoughts with balance and equanimity. We foster a supportive and positive inner dialogue, talking to ourselves as a best friend/carer. We also recognise that the difficulties we are facing are a universal experience, so we are more open to connect with others who are facing similar challenges and asking for help when needed.
How can mindfulness and self-compassion help me?
You are invited to join us for this journey toward greater well-being, where you will discover that it's never too late to develop a kind relationship with yourself and find more peace and enjoyment in daily life.
Mindfulness and self-compassion involve learning strategies to calm ourselves during difficult times. Through easy practices, you will learn to meet the challenges and joys of aging with greater ease and warmth. The course draws on proven mindfulness techniques and self-compassion practices that have been shown to improve sleep quality, reduce stress, enhance emotional wellbeing, and deepen connection with others. You simply require an openness to exploring new ways of relating to yourself and your experience.
What are the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion?
There is more and more research that points to the benefits of learning mindfulness, and self-compassion especially as we get older such as:
Cognitive health: improves attention, concentration and memory, and can help to delay the onset of dementia. Meditation can also preserve brain structures and slow down age-related brain degeneration.
Emotional well-being: reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression while promoting emotion regulation as well as positive emotions such as contentment, gratitude, happiness, curiosity, life satisfaction, optimism with a sense of purpose and meaning in life
Physical health: lower blood pressure, strengthen immunity system, engage in healthy behaviours such as diet, exercises and seek medical advice more readily.
Sleep quality: improve the quality of sleep.
Pain management: cope better with pain.
Social connections and better relationships: promote understanding, appreciation and communication.
Overall, when we practice mindfulness and self-compassion, we are more likely to cultivate helpful thoughts, with less worry and rumination, which lead to a healthy lifestyle with more rewarding relationships. It also promote resilience when facing difficult life events such as divorce, loss of a loved one or the diagnosis of a serious illness.
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What to expect?
Each 2-hour class session will consist of an initial meditation followed by a topic and exercises in mindfulness and self-compassion. At the end of each session, we will suggest practices to do at home to learn mindfulness and self-compassion. We recommend initially 20-30 minutes each day of home practice. If this is too much, start with 1-5 minutes per day and then increase gradually. Learning mindfulness and self-compassion is dose-dependent. The more you practice at home, the more you will benefit.
In the 8 sessions, we will cover strategies to deal with anxiety, poor sleep, grief, self-criticism, difficult emotions, and relationships. We will also explore loving-kindness, motivation, acceptance, savouring, gratitude and living our values to care for ourselves and others.
Give yourself the gift of your own friendship!
Connect with your inner joy and peace
Suggested Reading (optional)
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The Mindful self-compassion workbook by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, 2018
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The compassionate mind workbook by Chris Irons and Elaine Beaumont
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The gift of compassion: how to understand and overcome suffering by Stan Steindl, 2020
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Choose compassion: why it matters and how it works by James Kirby, 2022
Disclaimer
This course is educational only and does not replace treatment or therapy. We provide information on health and well-being but do not prevail over the professional advice you have received from your health practitioner.
If you have recently or are currently going through a traumatic life event such as the loss of a close family member or friend, this may not be the right time for you to do this course.
While all the exercises and mindful movements introduced in this course are gentle, the decision to perform any of these remains your own. Please follow your careful judgement to decide if they are beneficial for you to do.
If you feel uncomfortable doing the exercises, please choose not to do them and then let us know.
If you have doubts about how suitable this program is for you, contact your health practitioner for their advice.
You can also contact us for further discussion and clarification.
Meet Your Presenter
Marie Bloomfield
B.Sc(Psych.), M.Clin. Psych(UNSW), MAPS(Coll.Clin.Psych.)
Clinical Psychologist
Senior Certified MSC Teacher
Clinical Psychologist and Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher.
Marie is an accomplished teacher in mindful self-compassion having presented over 50 workshops most of which were targeting health professionals since 2014. As a clinical psychologist, Marie has over 40 years of experience working in mental health, including public, academic and private sectors.
Marie has been using Compassion-Focused Therapy and Mindful Self-Compassion in her clinical practice since 2011. She is a leader in teaching Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to health professionals in Australia.
She knows from personal and clinical experience that compassion changes and enhances lives.
Course Details
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Wellbeing
Date
Starting on the 2nd February 2026: 9:30 -11:00 am
Location
Burleigh Waters Community Centre, 111 Christine Avenue, Burleigh Waters
Cost
Free to members of the Broadbeach-Central Gold Coast U3A