Week 1: Walking Mindfully
Welcome to Week 1 of the Nature Rx Challenge! We wanted to start the challenge off with a simple but effective way to spend some meaningful time outdoors so this week we're challenging you to take at least one 30-minute mindful walk. Learn more about mindful walking and its benefits below...
As a reminder, we'll be checking in weekly with these emails, but we'll also be posting more throughout the week in the Nature Rx Challenge Facebook group. Make sure to join the group if you want a place to share your experience and ideas with other challenge participants.
Walking mindfully means taking each step with intention, it means breathing deeply and walking slowly. Hopefully, by thinking about each step and breath you take, you will be able to forget about the worries of the day, at least for a few minutes. Walking mindfully allows you to spend time looking around you so you can really see, hear, smell, and appreciate all the beauty that there is to be found. A mindful walk doesn't have to happen on a trail on the woods, in fact, I think it might be better to do in a more urban setting because you can take the time to really notice the things you might miss when you're normally speeding by. Make sure your phone is on silent. Don't put your headphones in. If you're walking with others, encourage at least a few minutes of walking without talking. One of the biggest proponents of walking mindfully is Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. He has an absolutely beautiful way of writing about the importance and reverence that can be found during a meditative walk. Check out his article below if you want to feel inspired.
The practice of mindful walking, says Thich Nhat Hanh, is a profound and pleasurable way to deepen our connection with our body and the earth.
More mindful walking resources...
A short, lovely poem about mindful walking.
We'd love to hear how your mindful walks are going! Or, if you're already a pro at walking meditation we'd love to hear about your favorite mindful walking tips. Do you set an intention? Repeat a mantra? Journal during the walk? You can always shoot me an email (mcurran@imagoearth.org) or post about your experience in the Nature Rx Challenge Facebook group. Have a great first week, we'll be checking in soon!
