GETTING MINDFUL WITH MOTHER NATURE
Getting outside into nature is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body, mind, and spirit. And what’s more. It’s fun. Being out in nature brings a childish joy that is hard to replicate elsewhere. It brings back the simple bliss of climbing trees, turning cartwheels, running simply because we could, with mud on our knees, the sun on our face, and the breeze in our hair.
What are the benefits of spending time outside?
Improve your sleep: just 30 minutes of sunshine during the day has been proven to help make you sleep more soundly.
Improve concentration and memory: Spending time outdoors helps with concentration, mental clarity, and even your short-term memory
Lower blood pressure: one study found that simply looking at trees can help lower your blood pressure and the Japanese practice of ‘Forest Bathing’ has become hugely popular
Decrease stress levels: forests and fresh air are of the best ways to destress
Ease depression: A simple 30-minute walk in nature has been proven to have a powerful impact on mental health
Health and fitness: Any form of exercise has a positive benefit on your health and fitness
How to be mindful in Mother Nature
To understand how to be mindful in nature, we must first understand what it means to be mindful.
Mindful.org describes mindfulness as:
“The basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or feel overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.”
For Aura-Soma, it’s about letting go of the thoughts, narratives, and stresses that are running through our mind at any one time and simply enjoying, savouring, and immersing ourselves in the moment.
Start with a walking meditation
When it comes to nature, a good start is by taking a short meditative walk.
Choose a quiet place to walk. It doesn’t have to be a long walk, or anywhere ‘wild’, you can choose your local park
Walk slowly and really feel the ground connect with your feet. Step heel first, then roll onto the ball of your foot.
Be purposeful with your steps. Don’t change the way you walk, just be aware of it.
Breathe deeply. In through the nose and out through the mouth.
Listen. What can you hear? The birds singing, the breeze rustling the leaves.
Smell. What scents fill the air. Don’t force yourself, just notice.
See. Take in the sights around you.
Notice the flowers, the colours of the leaves changing.
Listen to your emotions and how you’re feeling, but don’t dwell on them. Let them wash over you. If your mind starts to wander bring it back to focus on the walking.
Make time for nature
Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, running, kayaking, cycling, or camping, or anything else, making the time for nature is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. Get out there and walk in the park, swim in the river, play in the sunshine with the kids and make the most of the beautiful world we live in.
Do you make time for Mother Nature? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram. Would you like to find out about how Aura-Soma can help bring mindfulness to your everyday? Visit your nearest practitioner for a consultation.