There is a deep connection between nature and mindfulness, as human beings, this has shaped our existence since the dawn of time. Our minds are constantly under pressure and bombarded with responsibilities, notifications and fast paced lifestyles that rarely gives us the time to switch off. Yet amidst all the noise, nature quietly plays its role of offering us what we truly need: stillness, clarity and balance.
As humans, we are naturally drawn to greenery, open spaces and flowing water that represents the sustenance and the serenity of the natural world. We are wired to connect with the natural world, to connect with the landscapes and observe the patterns in the sky and to recognise the rhythms of water and wind, to follow the sun and the moon cycles to navigate our lives on earth.
Today, even though we live in urban settings, a simple walk in the park or hiking in the woodlands instantly creates a positive response from our bodies. The mind begins to slow down, our breathing deepens and the tension in our bodies start to melt away. Just a simple walk in the park can lower stress hormones, improve our mood and enhance our nervous system.
What we need to note is that we don’t have to escape to high altitude maintains and remote forests to experience this connection with nature, our local parks and walking trails can offer benefits to our mental health.
Here are five simple ways we can stay connected to nature and incorporate mindfulness:
Start your day outside
Start by beginning your morning with a few minutes spent outdoors, if you have grass, stand barefoot, take a deep breath and take in the fresh morning air into your lungs and on your skin. Look around and note the colours of the sky and the bird song around you, this simple act to start your day sets a positive tone for the rest of your day.
Take nature breaks instead of screen breaks
In the technological world that we live in today, everywhere we look, we are surrounded by screens. Instead of scrolling mindlessly through your phone, step out and give yourself a mental break. Do light stretches and walk to the nearest patch of greenery. You would be amazed to know that even the five minutes of contact with nature can have a positive impact on your mood.
Bring nature indoors
If you don’t have the time or access to green outdoor spaces, you can always use a corner of your house to create an indoor green space. You can add houseplants, flowers and stones in your living area. The presence of plants in an indoor setting has been shown to help clean the air inside your home, reduce stress and increase creativity.
Getting your steps and practice mindful walking
Many health and fitness specialists have positively encouraged people to maximise their steps and to achieve the 10,000 steps challenge. What we can incorporate into our walking practice is to take each step mindfully. Notice the movement of your body and let your mind focus on the physical experiences of mindfully walking and changing your body simultaneously. You would be surprised to see how your daily walk turns into a meditative walk.
Engage your senses
The senses we experience is a unique miracle that us humans possess. Whether you’re in your garden, near a flowing river or walking on a mountainous terrain, take a moment and fully engage with your senses. Listen to the wind, smell the crisp, morning air, feel the textures of the autumnal leaves and inhale the rusty smell of the earth after the rain. The more you immerse yourself in the sensory experience, the more mindful you become.
In our quest of creating a comfortable life and becoming productive human beings, we’ve drifted away from the very source that grounds us- that is nature itself.
Nature is a partner in maintaining our well-being, it’s the foundation upon which our lives are moulded and balanced in a fulfilling way. Each moment spent around nature is a gentle reminder that we belong to a space that is larger, timeless and vast in providing us the healing. The more we align our lives within the rhythm of nature, the more balanced and fulfilling our lives will become.
As people navigating through life in a 21st – technologically advanced century, we will always be drawn toward open spaces that have nature and greenery in abundance. Where the beauty of flowing water, lakes, trees and mountains will always recharge us and alleviate us of our daily struggles and anxiety. Each step that we take in nature brings us closer to a healthy mind and body, adding quality and longevity into our lives.
Writing this reminds me that mindfulness and connection with nature doesn’t have to be complicated. It reminds us to slow down, breathe and allow things to just be. The more we honour this connection, the more peaceful our life in the world becomes. So, step outside, look around and smell the fresh air and let nature remind you that mindfulness doesn’t need to be discovered, it has always been a part of our DNA.