Mindfulness

"The land knows you, even when you are lost" -- Robin Wall Kimmerer

Mindfulness in Nature

Spending time in nature – in places with native trees, grasses, and bodies of water – provides a refuge in which our minds can recover from the stresses of life in the modern world. Wandering through the woods feels good for most of us, and when our wandering is done we may feel relaxed and refreshed. Researchers have focused on how big a deal this is, and how it helps us, and the results are adding up. The evidence says that our blood pressure may improve, depressive thoughts may subside, and chronic stress may be relieved. There is research showing that we heal faster when exposed to nature. Our ability to pay attention is likely to improve, and there may be fewer symptoms of ADHD. Sometimes simple things have powerful benefits.

I have led many walks and organized field trips, either at nature centers or with herpetological societies, generally looking for particular animals or talking about how nature works. However, on walks by myself, some of the best moments occurred when I was simply being quiet and taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells without thinking about anything in particular. 

If we take a walk together, we will do just that. We will spend some time being open to the present experience, taking in all the sights, sounds, and other sensations a place has to offer and letting go of past recollections or future plans. This is “mindfulness,” the practice of being engaged in the present without judging it as good or bad, just noticing what we are experiencing and accepting it with kindness and compassion. In mindfulness practice, when thoughts come to us, we note them, let them go, and return to a focus on the present. Like exposure to nature, mindfulness has a good track record of benefits for health, attention, stress, and mood.

While the walks certainly can be a form of therapy, they can also be beneficial for anyone who enjoys this sort of experience.  

I lead walks from time to time in connection with nature centers or other organizations. We discuss and practice mindfulness in those walks and we may also include topics such as nature journaling. We typically go out in very small groups. One of those walks is scheduled for March 16 - see the Friends of Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve Facebook page for more information and to sign up.

For more information about mindfulness and related practices:

Nature Journaling

Nature journaling is not the same as practicing mindfulness, but the two go together very well. Journaling is an opportunity for us to take what we experienced, reflect on it, and express what we saw, heard, felt, and how that affected us. One of the best ways to do that is to write or draw while we are still immersed in the woods or grasses that we are visiting. Quite often I will sit somewhere for a while and then write about it before I get up and move somewhere else. 

However, there are no hard and fast rules for nature journaling, and you should find a way that is comfortable and effective for you. Some people mostly draw or paint, while others mostly write. A mix of both is great. If you think, "I'm not great at writing," that's fine! You don't have to be. If you would like to try journaling, know that your writing (and drawing) will get better the more you do it. 

Drawing and writing will help you attend to and think about your experience more deeply, and that will make your visit richer regardless of how polished your journal entry is. Journaling also helps create a richer memory of the day. If you come to a journaling event that I am leading, bring a notebook and pen or pencil and create (or add to) a nature journal. Any kind of notebook is OK - don't get one that's so fancy that you're afraid to use it for fear that you'll "mess it up." In my sessions I focus mostly on writing, which is what I know best (I don't teach how to draw but I'll support and encourage your doing it).