Leading wellbeing charity Take a Moment is challenging people to do one thing to help relieve stress in everyday life.
They have launched an exhibition of the same name, which can be found in The Chancery Rosewood Hotel on Grosvenor Road from October 1 to 31.
Part of the hotel has been transformed into a sublime, relaxing gallery of celebrity portraits snapped by Ray Burminson. The one thing all the photos have in common? The subjects’ eyes are completely shut.
Melanie C, Tyla and Aurora are among the high-profile faces that have taken to the walls of the luxury Mayfair spot as part of the campaigns most recent installation.
The campaign started in 2020 as solely a virtual exhibition of selfies from people all over the world, closing their eyes and taking a moment to relax.
Since then, Take a Moment have become a charity and gone on to showcase the photos of almost 500 famous faces, plus thousands of people from across the globe, all completing the simple – yet powerful – act.
‘Taking time to be present, to feel grounded in our bodies and surroundings – it’s something we can all benefit from,’ said Melanie C, former Sporty Spice.
She adds that this is particularly important, especially given how ‘fast-paced life can get.’
The campaign advocates ‘We all need to Take a Moment, so let’s Take a Moment together’, encouraging the public – especially those rushing through busy city life – so engage in a collective moment of stillness.
‘Take a Moment offers a place to pause, to reflect and connect with oneself and others,’ says Micheal Bonsor, Managing Director of The Chancery Rosewood.
On World Mental health day, October 10, the campaign brought a film that encompassed their message to the busting Piccadilly Lights. The 20-minute projection featured celebrities, and everyday people alike, taking a moment to pause and reflect.
The moment of calm transformed what is otherwise one of the busiest locations in the world. A crowd fell quiet to appreciate how closing your eyes and taking a breath can do wonders for your mental health.
Closing your eyes to practice mindfulness is nothing new. It dates back to ancient meditation traditions, such as from Buddhism where having your eyes closed is used to reduce sensory distractions to help attention turn inward.
This withdrawal of the senses is also used in yoga, and in Hindu tradition, where it is known as pratyahara, to help with a focus on the breath rather than the outside world.
What is new is Take a Moment’s mission: to bring mental wellness to the forefront of everyday spaces, where the importance of positive practices for mental health are often ignored.
The campaign hope to bring the concept of taking time to pause to workplaces, schools and public spaces.
Take a Moment’s website still features their ongoing online exhibition where anyone can become part of the virtual gallery but sending in their own eyes-closed pictures.
You can catch the physical exhibition at The Chancery Rosewood Hotel until the end of October.
