“IN EVERY WALK WITH NATURE, ONE RECEIVES FAR MORE THAN HE SEEKS” — JOHN MUIR
When it comes to taking care of our physical and mental wellbeing, as well as looking at ways to practice mindfulness, there really is no better place than getting out in nature. Plus, no self-respecting blog series on mindfulness would be complete without talking about Mother Earth - always present, never in a rush, letting everything bloom in her own time and dependent on its own unique set of conditions.
Our day to day lives are full of so much stress, endless screen time, and too many hours spent indoors. So, not only is making sure you take some time out in nature great for your well-being, but it’s also a great way to give back to the world around us.
Here are some of the ways you can get out and give back at the very same time.
Grow your own
Whether you have a garden of your very own, a patio, window box or even a communal garden space or allotment, one of the best ways to practice mindfulness and give back at the same time is to garden.
Gardening of all types is a present-moment act, and there is research to highlight its powers. Did you know that handling soil actually releases serotonin (the feel-good hormone)? Growing your veggies and herbs is a great way to reduce shop-bought items heavily packaged in single-use plastic and produced using pesticides.
Save the bees
And whilst we’re on the subject of gardening, you can continue down that (garden) path by planting bee (and butterfly) friendly plants. Even if you only have a small space, grow plants like lavender, alliums, buddleja, geraniums, and bluebells. Many of these can be grown in pots and containers that will look beautiful in a small garden or even on a windowsill or balcony.
Did you know that you can now plant your TreatBox confetti? We’re sending our beautiful planet some love, one piece of confetti at a time.
Walk it out
Consider how often you jump in your car to pop to the corner shop, your local gym or even to get to work. We’re all short on time, but walking is a mindful act that is free and enables you to be fully present. Try mindfulness walking, a perfect way to tune in to the sensations within your body whilst spending time in nature and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time!
Plogging
Yep, that’s right, there’s a new way to jog these days, which involves picking up litter whilst you’re running. From the Swedish ‘plocka’ to pick up and ‘jogga’ to jog, it’s a considered way to move your body and exercise whilst at the same time taking care of the planet! Why not give it a try next time you head out for a run?! To find out more, check out Plogging GB.
Forest bathing
‘Shinrin-yoku’, or ‘forest bathing, is an ancient Japanese practice that involves getting out amongst the trees and paying attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you. A meditative and mindful practice that really encourages you to slow down, pay attention, and be at one with nature.
Plus, it’s a great reminder of just how important the trees around us are for the air we breathe. Why not consider donating to a tree charity such as the Woodland Trust, which probably has beautiful woodlands near you, perfect for forest bathing!
Many of these mindfulness practices (that get us outdoors and into nature) act as reminders to exercise gratitude for the natural world around us. And if that encourages us to do just one thing, such as reduce the amount of single-use plastic we use, walk more, or become more aware of the products we buy, then look at ways to get out and give back!
Enjoyed this blog post? Why not sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll send you our latest blog posts, mindfulness reminders, activities and a selection of our beautiful wallpapers! Just click here!
