My year of living mindfully
12,496 views |
Shannon Harvey |
TEDxYouth@Abbotsleigh
• March 2021
In the midst of a global mental health crisis, millions of people have turned to mindfulness. But does it actually make us happier and healthier? In a world-first experiment, award-winning journalist Shannon Harvey recruited a team of scientists to put mindful meditation to the test. But after a 30,000 kilometre journey from the bright lights of Manhattan to the dusty refugee camps of the Middle East, what began as a self-experiment, transformed into a life-changing experience. In this talk, Shannon reveals the surprising conclusions of her year-long experiment to a group of young people who are facing radically different challenges to anything experienced by previous generations. In a world facing rapid technological disruption, increasing political polarisation and climate change, half of all mental disorders start by 14 years of age. At a time when the mental well-being of young people is looking grim, could mindfulness training be the simple life skill that changes everything?
Shannon Harvey is a multi-award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker. She previously worked as a TV, radio and online reporter for organisations such as the ABC and Fairfax. She’s written two books, directed two feature documentaries, and is the recipient of the National Press Club of Australia’s 'Health Journalist of The Year' award.