3 Ways to Incorporate Nature in your Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness practice, in a traditional sense, involves being aware, present, and engaged in the current moment. This may look like simply focusing on your breath, or could involve more structured exercises like sitting or walking meditation. Mindfulness practice has shown numerous benefits, namely reducing stress and anxiety, as well as improving focus, attention, and sleep. 

Relatedly, researchers have studied the relationship between mindfulness and nature. While this is a field that requires more research, current studies show promising results. More specifically, studies have shown that incorporating nature in mindfulness can help enhance physical and psychological benefits of these practices and may be superior to similar practices performed in non-natural settings. A natural atmosphere can further encourage us to be present in the moment. Additionally, nature has shown to promote physical and mental health, increase relaxation, and boost creativity and cognitive function. Here are three ways you can incorporate nature-based mindfulness into your own life. 

• Practice outdoor meditation. Move your meditation practice outdoors. This may look like sitting or lying down outside, observing the objects or focusing on the sounds surrounding you in the natural environment. This can help you become more in-tune with nature and help ground yourself. 

• Go on a nature walk. Taking a mindfulness nature walk can help relax and lower stress levels. Going on a walk outside while taking notice of the natural surroundings allows you to engage your attention in a peaceful way through connecting with nature. 

• Combine physical exercise with mindfulness. Forms of exercise incorporating mindfulness, such as yoga or tai chi, can be performed outside. This allows you to enhance the benefits of movement with the positive impacts of mindfulness practiced in a natural setting.