Being in mindful contact with nature is a powerful reminder that beauty is everywhere — shining forth from every little flower and patient tree, from the light dancing on the water’s surface, from the celestial celebration in the night sky.

To relieve stress and come back down to earth, try this nature mindfulness walk. It’s a breath of fresh air.

This mindfulness walk is inspired by a ritual I share my book, Sleep Rituals: 100 Practices for a Deep and Peaceful Sleep!

Pick up your own copy so you don’t have to stare at a screen for inspiration. Get outside instead. It’s good for you.

Even a little bit of time in nature can heal your mind and body: lowering stress, improving mood, slowing heart rate, normalizing blood pressure and respiration, improving sleep rhythms, and bridging the gap between you and everything around you.

Whenever you’re super stressed, or to prevent that from happening, turn to nature. She's a healer.

Take a Nature Mindfulness Walk and Feel Better

You don’t need anything fancy. Put on your walking shoes, bring a blanket if you want to stop and sit somewhere, and invite a friend if you agree to walk together in silence and appreciation.

Treat your walk like a self-guided tour of the world around you.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. As you walk, let nature effortlessly enter through all of your senses.

Look at the big and little details. Listen to the critters and breeze. Honor every pebble, leaf, and animal you pass by. Smell the flowers. Drink in your surroundings. Offer the blessing of your full presence.

2. Feel your own movement.

Notice how each step feels as you take it. Sense your arms as they swing, feeling the air moving as they move. Pay attention to your inhale and then your exhale, the air in your lungs, the beating of your heart.

3. Ponder your shared ingredients...

... with Mother Earth, and your essential connection to everything you see, feel, and hear.

Be humbled, surrounded by so much vitality, creativity, and intelligence. Be honored, knowing that you’re part of everything you notice. As you look at nature with love, you may find it easier to look at yourself with love.

4. Practice earthing.

Make direct physical contact with the earth through your bare skin. Place your hands on a tree. Touch the petals. Dip your fingers or toes in the stream. Walk barefoot in the dirt or grass, if you can. Feel recharged through the energy source of the planet.

5. If thoughts distract you, come back down to earth.

If your mind wanders from your present-moment experience, just return to a restful, open awareness. Every step and return to nature is a celebration of your profound and unfathomable connection.

6. Be grateful for and open to what you don't know or understand.

Thank the earth for providing you with all the energy you need to live, breathe, and dream.

Leave room for wonder and curiosity because these are necessities for serendipity: finding something meaningful in an unexpected place, like the present moment.

It’s those small, everyday marvels that, when you take some time to notice them, plant peace in your soul.

. . .

Tell me:

What do you love most about the way being in nature makes you feel?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I’d love to know!

Peace, love and everything green,

Jen

P.S. Get a copy of my book Sleep Rituals for 99 more rituals like this one that’ll make your nights (or anytime) a lot less stressful. So you can actually feel like all is well, right here and now. It’s your life, after all: you deserve to enjoy it. Let yourself enjoy it.