After this pandemic year, many of us need time to restore. Summertime offers us many opportunities to spend time in nature. As things open back up and we get outside, we can incorporate easy mindfulness practices throughout the day. Try some of these mindful suggestions during outdoor activities and take time to restore and heal this summer.
Park Walks
If you’re anything like me, the past year without opportunities for in-person connection has been challenging. I feel excited looking at my calendar and penciling in all of my social events!
Consider scheduling “catch up” dates at local parks. Walking and talking with a good friend can be incredibly healing. You can get your daily steps, reap the benefits of being in nature, and feel more connected.
An easy way to integrate mindfulness is to pay attention to how you are showing up. If you find yourself focused on planning what you will say next, just notice, pause and breathe. See if you can compassionately shift your focus back to really listening instead. You might find that there are times where you prefer to be silent together as you walk in nature. Take time to pause and BREATHE so that you can be fully present and see how the conversation and walk unfold.
Enjoy the Water
In Minnesota we are lucky to have 10,000 lakes – or maybe more! Many even offer easy and affordable equipment rental. Consider spending a beautiful day kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply walking around the lake. Getting your body to MOVE increases endorphins and improves mental health. As you move your body, take time to notice how it changes how you are feeling in your mind, body, and heart. Integrate mindful attention by using all your senses to notice what you see, hear, and feel as you are moving your body.
Get Barefoot
Feeling your feet on the ground is a powerful mindfulness practice. Take your shoes off when you are outside on the grass or on the beach this summer. Connecting bare feet to the Earth is a quick way to ground the body and stabilize mood. Having your feet on the ground is a great way to build in a few moments of REST. Use this simple mindfulness practice as a way to be fully present when you are outside.
During those times you can’t get outside this summer, use the same practice to get more grounded in whatever you are doing. Feel your feet on the floor or your seat in your chair and notice how that shifts your stress level. You can even take a few breaths as you picture yourself in nature for a quick rest break, imagining what you would see, hear, and feel if you were able to be outside.
When you integrate mindfulness into your everyday activities it allows you to be more present to yourself and others creating a sense of GREAT-FULLNESS.
Download our Free Resources for tools to help you BREATHE-MOVE-REST this summer. What are you doing this summer to recharge and nourish your body, mind, and heart? Leave a comment!