Mindful Walks: How to Turn Your Walk into a Mindful Nature Walk

Spending time in nature can improve your mood. If you want even more benefit from being in nature, pay attention to who or what is around you. It turns out that the intention to connect with nature provides many benefits. In the study Interactions with Nature, Good for the Mind and Body: A Narrative Review by Stott et al. there’s a good collection of studies illustrating that the intention to connect with nature is positively associated with a long list of benefits including mental wellbeing, improved mood, and relaxation.

I’ve created a guide that you can take with you on your walk, click on the link below to receive a copy.

There is no one way to connect with nature.  What is important is your intention.

I think part of the reason the intention to connect is important is that nature is more than a backdrop, it is a living environment. 

Nature connection is a relational activity. 

Just like when you take the time to listen to a good friend share something important with you, nature connection is a relationship with your environment.  I know this is a very global way of saying it, but nature wants to relate with you, it’s possible that deep down inside you want to remain connected to nature too.

Slow down

Sense

• What can you: feel, see, hear, taste, and smell?
• Looks for what is: big & small, loud & quiet, still & in motion, up high & down low, seen & unseen

What’s the weather like today? How does it differ from the day before. How does the weather impact your mood?

Starting with sensing, noticing, and checking in with the weather helps you to drop into the present moment. It allows you a micro moment where you can drop your worries and any repetitive thinking.

Being aware of who is around you both stimulates and relaxes the brain.

You may notice something surprising about your environment, something may catch your attention.  This is called a moment of awe. And this is another layer in dropping into the present moment.

At this point, you can ask what you are feeling.  Do an emotional check in.  No matter what it is, sit with yourself, offer compassion.

If you were a friend, what could you offer that would help? What do you need?  What will bring you back to peace and joy?

Maybe it would help to do some Emotional Freedom Technique.  Maybe you need a hug.  Hug a tree!

Maybe you can leave a little bit of whatever it is.  Maybe you can take a minute and offer a little something to compost the stuff you no longer need.  There’s freedom in this process.

Summary:

• Intentional interactions with nature provide us with many mental health benefits.
• It’s easier to connect with nature if we slow down and sense. We might want to check in with how the weather is influencing us today.
• Adding self-care practices such as tuning into our feelings makes sense because we tend to be relaxed and open when we are nature connecting.
• No matter what you are feeling, offer yourself compassion and try to help yourself today.
• Composting or offering a little forgiveness each day can add up and create greater freedom.