In today’s Mindful Monday we’re looking at a simple task you can do whilst taking a walk.
Step 1
Set off on a short walk; preferably somewhere scenic and quiet, but this isn’t essential.
Step 2
Now, use your ears and listen to the sounds around you, such as the sound of passing cars, birds chirping in the trees, leaves rustling in the wind, or the sound of people mowing their lawn. Really focus on every noise and consider how loud or quiet it is.
Step 3
Use your sense of smell and notice what you can smell. Inhale deeply and see if you can notice the more subtle scents too. You might notice the smell of summer flowers, the scent of a freshly mowed lawn, or food being cooked on a BBQ. Notice all the smells, and register how feint or strong they are, or whether they’re pleasant or unpleasant.
Step 4
Have a look around you and see what you can see. Can you see any wildlife? Vehicles driving by. What colour are the vehicles, and are they big or small? Can you see any people? How old do they look> What are they wearing. Can you see flowers swaying in the summer breeze? Notice the big things…and the little things.
If any thoughts pop into your head, just allow them to fade away. Avoid attaching any kind of meaning to the thoughts, or any kind of judgement about them. Just notice them – and let them go.
Find out more
Find out more about mindfulness in our previous post where we kicked off Mindful Mondays.
