Natural Mindfulness
Our wonderful mindfulness teacher Michelle, has kindly written this blog all about nature and mindfulness, have a read.
Most of us know that mindfulness is a state where we are fully present in the moment, but when we add the power of nature to mindfulness, the benefits can be amazing.
Natural mindfulness is based around the practise of Shinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing, which was developed in Japan in the 1980s. A number of studies were carried out which showed that when people spent around 2-3 hours in the forest, there were multiple health benefits to them, which could last up to 28 days.
Benefits included lowered blood pressure, reduced anxiety and stress levels, and boosted immune system activity. Much of this can be attributed to the phytoncides released from the trees in the forest, which are part of the plant's natural defence system, protecting it from disease and supporting healthy growth; these are essentially the oils produced by trees being released into the air around the forest.
Natural mindfulness combines the benefits of being in nature, with the sense of calm and peace that mindfulness brings us. It is a practise which involves a short walk through a woodland (usually only 3-5km) using all of our senses to explore and engage with what is around us. We take the time to pause in nature and truly realise the beauty of our environment; looking, touching, listening, smelling, and sometimes even tasting the things we can find.
You don't need to live near a forest to practise natural mindfulness; you can visit a park, a beach, or even sit in your own garden, as long as you can take time to stop and notice nature.
Next time you're outside, try these simple natural mindfulness activities:
Focus on your breathing and notice how it feels as you inhale and exhale slowly
Look closely at something around you; notice the pattern of the bark on a tree, or watch a bee buzzing around a flower
Close your eyes and fix on a sound nearby, like birdsong, or wind blowing through the trees
Pick something up and really think about how it feels; appreciate the smoothness of a pebble, or the texture of a feather
Follow your nose and notice any scents, nearby flowers or pine, freshly cut grass or damp soil
Taste something (only if you are sure it is safe!); you can always take some fruit or nuts with you, and think about how nature has provided for you
I hope you try these simple techniques to help you feel calm and relaxed, and also to improve our relationship with nature, making our interaction more reciprocal and appreciating the beauty around us.
Enjoy!
To find out more about Michelle, visit her details within our instructor page.