Welcome to Day 22 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! Yesterday, I shared my experiences of becoming a Pointless champion in the pursuit of my goal of becoming a gameshow legend. In today’s blog, I reflect on how being in nature and bringing nature into your home can help you be more mindful every day.
Practicing Mindfulness
As we learned in the Being Mindful blog, mindfulness is a skill. As with any other skill, it requires practice and repetition to gain a good level of conditioning.
Mindfulness practice can be as simple as sitting with your eyes closed for a few minutes.
A great way to practice this is to explore your bodily sensations as you see, smell, hear, touch and taste what is happening in each moment. Many people struggle with this at first, finding it hard not to become distracted by the thoughts that pass through their mind. However, with regular and purposeful practice, you can improve your ability to connect with the moment.
One of the best ways to practice mindfulness is to focus on your breathing. Bring conscious attention to your breath as it moves in and out. Be intentional and mindful of each individual breath, noticing the inhale, and becoming aware of the exhale.
Remember, the only moment that you ever have is this moment right now. The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal reminds you to take time each day to savour it, even if it is only for a moment.
Connecting with Nature
One of my favourite ways to connect with the present is by being mindful when I’m out in nature.
For centuries, the connection between humans and nature has been a key focus for people from many different cultures and civilisations. In our disconnected world, it is more important than ever to maintain your connection with nature. Take five minutes to feel the sun on your face, the wind in your hair, or the sand between your toes.
While regular walks are a great way to be present, I have also loved bringing nature into my home.
Tending to my plants has become a daily ritual that has helped me bring my focus back to the moment and focus on the life that is sharing my home. A wonderful recent addition has been my terrarium, a Christmas gift from my sister, which brings a little orb of life into my office.
I am very much looking forward to spring as a time to plant some seeds and grow some herbs. Watching seeds grow into plants is a wonderful process, offering a wonderful opportunity to connect with the present each day.
As far as I know, plants do not worry about the future or feel depressed about the past. By tending to them each day, I am able to follow their example and live a more present life.
Call to Action!
Find a way to connect with nature and be present today. Whether you go for a walk, spend some time in your garden, or take a few minutes to tend to the plants you have in your home, make a conscious effort to focus on the moment as you connect directly with nature. Even a few minutes of breathing outside each day can be enough to ground you in the present moment.
This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.
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