Welcome to Wonder Ball.
How are you doing?
This is day 16 of our Mindfulness in Isolation course.
Today we're going to look at how we can connect with nature,
Even in isolation.
Nature has an incredible calming effect on us.
It reduces stress and anxiety,
As well as lowering blood pressure and reducing muscle tension.
Research in hospitals have found that even a simple pot plant in a hospital room can have significant impact on stress and anxiety for patients.
Another study showed that spending two hours a week in green spaces did as much for physical and mental health as regular exercise.
People who live near parks are shown to be healthier than those who don't.
Scientists don't know exactly why nature has such a positive effect on us,
But it's likely to be because we evolved in nature and nature is still where we're most comfortable.
So today we're going to connect with nature in the best way that you can.
If you can get outside,
Into the garden or a nearby park,
Pause and get yourself there.
Otherwise,
Find a pot plant or at the very least an image of a green space.
You ready?
Okay,
So we're learning that mindfulness is about being in the here and now and taking time to connect with whatever we're doing using all of our knowledge.
Let's start with sight.
It's time to explore the nature around us with our eyes.
Start by taking in the colours.
And now use your eyes to notice textures.
Let's switch to sound.
What can you hear in this nature setting?
Tune into your sense of sound for a moment.
Try to place all the sounds around you into a 3D picture in your mind.
Pause if you want to do this without the music for a minute.
Okay,
Now let's tune into the sense of touch.
Start with the feeling of the air on your skin.
Is there a breeze?
What's the humidity like?
Can you feel the sun on your body?
Now,
What can you explore with your hands?
A nearby rock or a leaf?
Tune in with your sense of touch.
And finally smell.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
What can you smell and taste in the air?
Nice work.
You've got a double dose of wellness today.
One for being in nature and one for practicing mindfulness.
Get on you.
I'm going to leave you with some music so you can keep going if you want to.
One day at a time.
Thanks for being here.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
One day at a time.
One day at a time.
One day at a time.
