What is Mindfulness through Nature's Point of View - Just Sense it!

I hope that this article provides some support and ideas to those not already using Mindfulness in their daily lives. I have been a Registered Mental Nurse since 1992 when qualifying - and have used these skills effectively whilst caring for those within my caseload at work, and in more recent times since I became physically disabled & no longer able to work now.

To begin with, Mindfulness is your own ability to hone in & focus on your own personal awareness of the present moment that is happening around you - while being able to calmly acknowledge and accept both your thoughts & feelings alongside just how your own body is both feeling & reacting.

The use of Mindfulness can be the most simple and effective way in creating a field of personal mindfulness time, in combatting those negative emotions that you can experience in everyday life - such as stress, low mood, anger, frustration, poor sleep, general aches & pains, managing arguments (home or at work), post-traumatic stress disorder feelings (PTSD), low self-worth & self-esteem, or simply anything that makes you feel out of sorts with yourself and the world around you and your connections within it.

I have previously published an earlier article (with Vocal+) discussing the use of gardening as a therapy, which I do suggest that you have a read of, in conjunction with this one too.

Garden Therapy (this is its link back to it.)

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The Bathroom:

This technique is one of the easiest tools for practicing mindfulness within the privacy of your own home - providing both private and personal 'you' time. And is an excellent way to support you in building up your confidence with mindfulness within the safety of home - of great benefit for those that fear going outside.

'Et domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium,' translated roughly as 'each man's home is his safest refuge' or 'For a man's house is his castle.' Okay, this is a very old and well-known saying, some would say that is sexist (and yes) it can be, but open your own feelings because in modern-day times as it equally can be used for any sex, race, or religion in mind.

Start with familiar smells & sensations that bubble baths and wash gels can provide for you. And no, if you cannot go outside (either through PTSD or any of the above and most notably possibly due to COVID-19 restrictions over the past year have impacted upon us all) then any of these products can be purchased over the internet for ease of home deliveries.

There are many benefits that the simple actions of using personal time in the bathroom can affect in the uplifting of your moods and fears/worries you may be experiencing at any time. In many ways having a bath or a shower can allow you the freedom to relax, unwind, reduce physical stressors and muscle pain - which in itself reduce anything that makes you feel out of sorts with yourself and the world.

Why?:

Simply because water can soothe your nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety. But on this point, this does bring an important issue to my mind - Hydration - mental health and hydration go hand in hand.

-- fill a glass with water

-- sit in a comfortable position

-- take three deep breaths, slowly exhaling after each breath

-- after your third breath begin to think of the peace that the water can represent, it is clear and still (do not use fizzy water or drinks for this exercise)

-- slowly take a mouthful of the water, letting it flow down your throat.

--take a deep breath between each mouthful (don't forget to exhale!)

-- carry this on until you have finished the water (it only needs to be one glass, not a three-litre bottle in one fail swoop!)

Some may not like to do this exercise in the bath, remind yourself that it is okay - it can be done at any time & anywhere you are. I actually find that this can be used when feeling 'stressed out' in a busy town, to stop in a cafe to break up the visit and replenish your thoughts & energy levels.

I have found this to bring good therapeutic effects to patients I have escorted into the community in supporting them in moments of distress - and have readily used it within care plans that I have devised within psychiatric hospitals I have worked in.

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This is (as described in the caption) another great way to relax and experience the active practice of mindfulness. It is beneficial to take time out of your daily schedule (although perhaps not every day, and it does greatly depend on the good old British weather too!)

Though some can simply enjoy being in the rain too!

Here you can see a man-made waterfall within the common. Sit down where you are and take a good look at it. Take a photo, (be mindful not to take the photo when other public members are around though.) Try to focus on the colours and the sound of the flowing water, are there any smells, are there any fish in there (have a look) and let yourself I take more photos now with my camera as it helps in giving me relaxation & in putting together a 'memory box' - enabling me to look back at them and think of the moment and experience it (particularly if I can't get out because of my mobility or the rain - I hate the damn rain!)

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This was taken from deeper into the common (as described in the caption) and provides for another mindful experience. Take a moment to look around you. Can you smell the air, can you hear/see any wildlife - birds or squirrels, where do they come from, do they live in the common itself? Spend time to concentrate solely on these - believe me, it works better to sit down. Focus on the growth of the grass, imagine how long it has been there now - can you imagine what it looked like going back thousands of years?

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Further in and the trees start to take over, even with the trail path (as described in the caption) although just spend time imagining the very birth of the common. This common is only five minutes walk away from where we live, but the whole area used to belong to the New Forest (our area is West Hampshire) but green-belt areas are rapidly diminishing for the development of housing & business now - hence my subtitle 'Use it - Before it is Destroyed.'

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Now this another opportunity to practice and enjoy mindfulness (as described in the caption.) I know that not every reader (hopefully reading this & hearting it!!) will have this immediate location open to them. But because of this, I have also touched upon in the final piece, following on immediately from this section.

The beach has its very own attraction aside from nature. As I mentioned already, we must enjoy nature now before it sadly succumbs to the destructive needs of human existence, but beaches (they are not going anywhere fast - probably not in our lifetime.)

I am not going to write an article within an article so, I'll discuss climate change, ozone depletion, and the icebergs melting, at another time.

-- But when you have a moment to enjoy the beach, sit down there. You may want to have a beach towel to sit on unless you enjoy the sand in every item of clothing you have on, but even just sitting on the sand can have its mindful moment. Experiencing its colour, its feel on you, does it feel warm to touch - may it has been heated by the warmth of the Sun?

Take time to long around you:

-- what can you see (birds in the sky, amusements flashing bright & colourful neon lights?)

-- what can you smell (familiar seaside foods like fish & chips?)

-- what is happening around you (children with their parents/friends playing ball games, having a relaxing picnic?)

-- what can you hear (children laughing, seagulls soaring & calling out, music from the pier amusements playing familiar melodies?)

This experience can be a relaxing & rewarding exercise both upon your physical, emotional, and can be great for using your senses.)

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Now this, as I touched upon above(and as described in the caption) is a great way to get away for a few days break, when you don't have a nearby beach on your doorstep.

Apart from the benefits from the above areas, the options I have discussed can be facilitated in your choice to take a few days of holiday away from your home. All the same, tools that you can use at home & in local areas can be adapted quickly here too.

-- experience new things (a new and different area to experience, explore and use all your senses in a fresh area.)

-- travel (okay, so travelling to your holiday, I find can be a real experience, it can be a fun, exciting, anticipating and exhilarating moment to experience.) And your own body's reaction can increase the buildup of adrenaline to help you prepare and strengthen your emotions. But remember to be mindful here too, travelling back home at the end of your holiday can also make you feel a sadness that it has ended. But by using all of the tools I have discussed throughout this, it can make you feel refreshed and calm, eager to carry on where you left off.....

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I sincerely hope that you can take away from this, something positive, in your efforts to make your lives more relaxing, enjoyable, and productive.

Please read and click the heart after reading. Anyone choosing to tip me, well, thank you so much for your generosity and kindness shown by this - hearts are great but tips help me succeed and do better but remember they are not obligatory.

More of my articles can be found at: https://vocal.media/authors/jonathan-townend

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