Try a Mindful Nature Walk
Research has shown that simply spending time in nature lifts your mood. So does mindfulness meditation. To combine the best of both worlds, why not try a simple mindful nature walk?
In an article for The Washington Post, Headspace meditation teacher Dora Kamau notes that after she went from working in a hospital to working from home, her daily steps decreased drastically. When she adopted the practice of taking a walk outside to break up the day, she returned energized, invigorated, and with renewed perspective.
We frequently walk from Point A to Point B without consciously noticing where we are, she explains, all the while replaying past conversations, worrying about events in the future, or forming our to-do list.
The idea of a mindful walk is simple. Step outdoors, noticing the movement of your body and becoming aware of the beauty and nature around you.
“With mindful walking,” Kamau notes, “there’s no destination, no outcome — we’re bringing our full attention to one step at a time.”
With this shift in attentiveness and perspective, even a walk to the corner store can become an escape to the great outdoors, she explains.
Feel the breeze or the warmth of the sun. Become aware of your surroundings. Nature awakens a sense of awe.
Movement makes us feel better. So this weekend, why not step outside – for any length of time – and see if it doesn’t lift your mood?
Read the full article here.
Kamau, Dora. “A guided meditation while taking a mindful nature walk.” The Washington Post, 23 Jun 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/06/22/short-meditation-nature-walk-free-audio/.