(c) Zsuzsanna Bird
Mindfulness simply means being present in your thoughts and being more aware of your surroundings and others. You don’t need any special training to become more mindful – it’s actually very easy to get started.
If you’d like to give it a try, we recommend that you start by simply engaging your senses – it’s a neat trick to ease your body and mind into a more ‘present’ state.
We can also harness the power of ‘five ways to wellbeing’ while out in nature:
Connect with people while enjoying the nature around you. Meeting friends can be even more special with some wildlife spotting thrown in!
You could also foster new friendships by joining some local outdoors groups.
Zsuzsanna Bird
Being out in nature helps us to be active. It’s easy to be more active in the great outdoors, especially if you can tackle rugged terrain. Challenge yourself to complete a long walk or a steep climb now and again – you’ll soon start to feel the benefits.
Ever wondered what a beautiful bloom is called or which bird is singing? Try and find out! Learning a new fact about nature can be a great way to boost your wellbeing.
Some great apps to try on your smart phone are; Merlin Bird ID, iNaturalist and PictureThis.
(c) Katrina Martin / 2020Vision
Take notice of what is going on in nature. Spend time observing wildlife doing its thing. Sit quietly and see what happens.
Take a sketchbook and capture what you see. Don’t forget the detail!
You can do this by making space for wildlife at home – which can mean anything from feeding birds and hedgehogs to planting a container garden or creating a pond – or by volunteering with us.
In a recent survey, 100% of our volunteers said that their volunteering has improved their mental health.
This June promises to be a bumper 30 Days Wild – people of all ages and abilities are urged to participate with special packs of inspiration available for households, schools, businesses and care homes, helping everyone who signs-up to do a small, wild thing every day during June.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, 30 Days Wild encourages people everywhere to connect with nature on a daily basis during what many argue is the best month for wildlife spotting. It could be going on a snail safari, eating your breakfast outdoors or closing your eyes to listen for bird song, to more adventurous endeavours such as outdoor yoga or forest bathing. This year's participants will receive a special 10th anniversary pack, designed to make their 30 days even more fun.
Research has consistently highlighted the positive impact of nature on well-being. A study found a significant increase in people's health, happiness, and connection to nature through participating in 30 Days Wild. People reported feeling more relaxed, reduced stress levels, and a greater motivation to protect wildlife which lasted long after the campaign ended.
