We really are surrounded by nature – you just might not have noticed it.
Mindfulness and nature are intrinsically connected; it’s all about being present and understanding what it is you’re seeing and hearing around you. It’s a dizzying world, taking notice – not least because it involves you wandering around craning your neck backwards.
A good place to start would be to try and identify the birds that visit your garden, your local park, on your walk to work. If you spot a bird regularly, familiarise yourself with its song. If you’re not sure what bird it is you’ve spotted, try to get a photo – our trusty bird ID will help you do the rest!
Of course, these are just my own suggestions; but all of them come from a place of sincerity. As a long-time sufferer of anxiety and depression, I’ve spent years trying to find the best coping mechanisms. The trouble is, it’s so very personal – and you just won’t know until you try what works for you.
What I can say with some certainty is that spending just 10 minutes a week in a garden or park has immeasurable benefits for our mental, physical and social health. How you do it is all down to you.