Superscript
Discovering Your Calm
Find Your Joy. Grow Your Health. Discover Your peace.
Learn a range of new ideas that bring you calm, creativity, clarity, and good health. In a world full of ups and downs, discover the Japanese art of mindful nature walks. A collection of wonderful activities that will benefit you and your loved ones through life.
How Is It Useful
What is life’s greatest wealth? A healthy mind, a peaceful body, and a circle of nourishing friendships are priceless gifts to have. However, unhealthy lifestyles, negative habits & day-to-day stress can impact us deeply over time. Also, anxieties, anger, loneliness, loss, and heartache are unwanted guests we all get at some point. And doesn’t the sea of relations bring in storms sometimes?
Only a few know how to deal with these challenges in a natural, healthy way.
A few priceless gifts
So how do you train the mind to instil calm and resilience within? How do we raise our levels of energy and boost our immunity to improve our well-being? How can we overcome negative habits and grow positive ones? So how can we transform our relationships – with self, others and nature, creating remarkable changes all around?
A Calmer, Healthier You
Explore a wide variety of calming nature meditations that bring you stillness and clarity. Grow your creativity and self-control with mindfulness based arts which include mindful photography, nature arts, creative writing, forest play and much more. Revitalise your relationships with magical walks and games that recharge your head and your heart.
150+ ways to recharge and renew life
Uplift your days in charming ways with Japanese nature mindfulness. Along with multiple activities you’ll also find the latest science and principles behind nature’s healing effects. Our collection reveals delightful ideas from Japan, Finland, India, America and the Amazon.
Why spend time on unhealthy habits? Try something different. Once you experience these engaging walks, you will realise how useful the ideas are. The learning helps you plant seeds of peace, kindness, and happiness everywhere. Seeds that will grow into a forest of friends.
Where and Why?
Surrounded by addictive screens and abnormal stress, a mindful connection with nature can make a big difference to our overstimulated brains and bodies. You can practice these activities in nature-rich spaces, neighbourhood parks, city forests, or even your own garden. Involve your friends and family for any of these walks or do them alone. Transform your walks, weekends and outings – creating unforgettable moments and lifelong memories.
Healthier homes. Resilient relationships.
A Gift From Nature
All lessons are freely available on request or through a kind donation to support our work. We email a handy 1 page pdf file with all lesson links that you can save to your phone and computer. Please give us 24 hrs after request to send you all the lessons. Check your inbox (or spam) for an e-mail from us: healingforest.org[at]gmail
FOR SELF / FAMILIES: Uplift your mind, body, and relationships in unique ways. Peaceful activities for you as well as those who matter to you. Learn how to bring calm, creativity, and good health into your life. Choose any amount that suits you.
Nature Calm Course
Thank you for your kind support. Your contribution helps people and forests. For currencies other than USD, please use the purple button above.
$10.00
Our course has over 150+ nature calm activities in different themes to suit your schedules and interests. Each section has been carefully designed with concepts, films, and helpful notes. Feel free to go through the lessons at your own pace. No sign-ups required.
Give your mind and body the peace they deserve, and the energy they need. By taking control of our own well-being and staying healthy, we are not only saving money but also invaluable time.
A Journey Of Change
Combining mindfulness with nature and creativity amplifies each of their benefits. These activities nurture the core of our wellbeing, helping us create a beautiful life, and transforming our world in simple ways.
IMPACT SO FAR
Engagement: 600,000+ people have read through our articles.
Awareness: A million+ people have viewed our healing forest films.
Newsletter: Our free newsletter sends amazing new ideas to your inbox, once a month.
Nature Play: A monthly program of magical walks for younger audiences and their families.
Re-wilding: Every year 15% of our donations go into supporting non-profits that protect old forests & create new ones.
Nature Play Walks
Create Walks That Create Change
Nature Play prepares you for life’s greatest challenges through magical walks in nature. Explore amazing activities and learn highly useful skills for the adventures that lie ahead. Unique abilities which books, schools or internet can’t teach you.
“Learning to shape your nature,
is learning to shape your future.“
~healingforest.org
Step outside the box to uplift your mind, body, and relationships. Experience the wonder of short mindful walks that create big changes in life.
12 Magical Walks
Aug: Joy Walk
How to create happiness out of nothing.
Sep: Numbers Walk
How to learn the language of the Universe and be friends with numbers.
Oct: Kindness Walk
How to understand others and yourself.
Nov: Decisions Walk
How to find clarity and make better decisions.
Dec: Resilience Walk
How to deal with conflict, hurt and loss.
Jan: Relationship Walk
How to make friends and keep them.
Feb: Treasure Walk
How to find true wealth in life.
Mar: Communication Walk
Nature’s tips for becoming a better speaker and listener.
Jun: Confidence Walk
How to build your confidence and self-worth.
Jul: Peace Walk
How to create calm with a phone camera.
April: Mind Walk
How to grow your mind with nature.
May: Creativity Walk
How to find creativity and inspiration when you need it.
How To Get The Walks
This is a free project, offered in the giving spirit of trees. You will receive new activities once a month via email. Press the button below to start your journey.
REQUEST: Before you begin, can you please share this page. As climate change advances rapidly, Nature needs new friends urgently.
Let Nature Be Your Teacher
Visit our resources page to know more. To collect all the activities in one place along with many other tools, try this Nature Calm course.
NATURE WISE
How can we tap into the wisdom of nature to grow in life? Featured on this page is a curated selection of articles, films, poems, and stories that share some useful insights from the natural world.
We hope they help you in navigating life’s journey with resilience, wisdom, and authenticity.
For those of you who wish to dive deeper, please try our Nature Calm course. The course features 150+ nature activities that take you on a journey of change and transformation through nature.
All articles also contain a few forest gifts for you. Explore them at your own pace and do share the ones you like, so it reaches those who may need it. After all, wisdom grows when it is shared.
New articles and activities keep getting added with time. The best way to stay updated is by joining our free monthly newsletter. You’ll find many useful resources in the newsletter archives too.
Discover. Reflect. Grow.
Nature Insights
Insight learning is defined as the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something. It is a fascinating process of the human mind to transform what is observed in the outer world into a simple idea that expands our inner world exponentially. Here’s a selection of some invaluable lessons from nature that one can apply at work, in relationships, and in life.
>> Nature Insights – Wisdom To Grow
Nature Meditations
Nature meditations offer you simple ways to still your mind and re-center your spirit, so that you may deal better with the challenges of life. In this article we learn from wise masters, established teachers and wandering seekers. You will find a collection of exceptional meditations that take inspiration from Nature. The cloud, tree, forest, river, ocean, desert, and mountain can all show you the path of cultivating deep calm.
>> Nature Meditations – Find Your Calm
Managing Emotions
If you could change one thing to transform your life what would it be? What if it was your own mind? Learning to train your mind starts with learning to regulate your emotions. It’s because they affect your thoughts, your choices and also the people you attract into your lives. Those who can achieve it know the secret of leading richer lives with greater success, harmony and more fulfilling relationships.
Wisdom of Birds
What can the wisdom of birds teach us about creating a life filled with joy, spontaneity, and song? Birds are thinkers. Not only are they capable of abstract thought, but they can also communicate with humans, solve problems, and experience complex emotions like grief.
Explore remarkable insights from a variety of birds. You will also find helpful bird games that people of all age groups can enjoy.
Resilience
Let the rivers of the world show you how to be resilient in life. Dive in, as we share inspiring examples and stories of resilience from the rivers. Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events. Floating down the river of time, each one of us will meet our own set of obstacles, hurdles and difficulties. How we overcome them or deal with them is based on our resilience.
>> Resilience: Stories & Examples from Rivers
Meditation Garden
Learn to create your own meditation garden and get a list of engaging garden meditations. Make an island of calm that you can return to, whenever you need.
A true meditation garden is not about the space you have on ground, rather it is about creating the relation between your mind and your garden.
>> Create Your Own Meditation Garden
Art of Communication
Flowers have mastered the art of communication over a hundred million years. They have crafted and perfected this skill because their very survival depends on it. What they have realised is that the secret to great communication is a mix of the visible and the invisible. In this article you will find 7 intriguing tips from flowers on how to better your communication skills.
>> Art of Communication: 7 Tips From Flowers
HEALING FOREST is a volunteer led project. There is no organisation or corporate sponsor behind our work. We are a collective of like minded friends trying to bring forests and people closer to each other.
You will find many useful resources across the site. Feel free to use what you may need and share what may help others. We are just scattering seeds of peace in world that needs a lot of healing.
For those who love nature, don’t forget to try our Nature Calm course to deepen your journey of learning and healing through nature.
Spread A Little Calm. Our World Needs It.
Mindfulness Activities, Exercises for Families And Groups
7 Nature Ideas
Mindfulness group activities in nature offer a simple and effective way of creating enriching experiences in life. These outdoor exercises are also a great source of nurturing strong, caring groups that support each other in the time of need – just like a forest supports its individual trees.
Many people have turned to mindfulness for calm and happiness in their lives, but a large number have tried and given up too soon. While it is true that mindfulness is an individual practice, it is easier to learn, practice, and grow when you take the journey with nature and a supportive, like-minded group.
It’s because mindfulness not only allows us to create a deeper understanding of the Self, it is also about expanding the concept of Self to include others. Group mindfulness allows us to observe our mind’s struggles reflected in our peers. You learn from those who are more advanced, and you support those who are just starting.
Outdoor Mindfulness Activities for Your Tribe
In this article we cover some outdoor mindfulness activities and exercises that are uniquely suited for groups. We’ll show you how to design the activities so that you can overcome common challenges faced while conducting mindfulness in groups. These engaging set of exercises can be adapted for people across age groups – from adults to kids. So you can practice them with friends or family.
*TIP: Mindfulness Over Zoom. As an interesting experiment, e-mail these activities to folks who may be in different cities. Ask them to do any of these nature walks at their own convenience. Schedule a mindfulness Zoom session later to share insights. It creates a beautiful experience of learning and growing with each other.
All the activities mentioned integrate elements of nature, which makes it easy for beginners to access the concept of mindfulness. The groups not only achieve the benefits of mindfulness, but also the multiple health benefits of being outdoors.
This collection is part of our Nature Calm course, covering beautiful mindfulness activities from around the world.
7. Mindful Listening: Language of the Birds
What is the difference between regular bird-watching and mindful birding? While our eyes make up the primary sense for the former, the most important sense for mindful birding is our ears. Rather than counting the number of different birds we can see, our focus is on learning how to create calm with the help of the birds.
We recommend keeping all cameras and phones away. Once you find a space that has sufficient bird activity, ask the group members to find a spot for themselves and sit in silence.
Mindfulness Group Exercise:
Listen to the closest bird.
Listen to the farthest bird.
Listen to the birds in different directions.
Listen to the silence in between the birdcalls.
Listen for conversations. Follow the sound of a particular species and imagine what the birds are trying to say?
The group can share their stories, insights and learning at the end of the session.
Spending time with the birds in a mindful way leads to some beautiful insights. Here one such story from a flock of swifts by Helen Macdonald, Author H is for Hawk.
“Swifts have, of late, become my fable of community, teaching us about how to make right decisions in the face of oncoming bad weather. They aren’t always cresting the atmospheric boundary layer at dizzying heights; most of the time they are living below it in thick and complicated air. That’s where they feed and mate and bathe and drink and are. But to find out about the important things that will affect their lives, they must go higher to survey the wider scene, and there communicate with others about the larger forces impinging on their realm.”
Just like the birds, sometimes we have to let our minds soar above our day to day worries and see our lives from a higher perspective. Mindfulness allows us to do that, helping us discover wiser choices for our future.
6. Mindful Awareness: Balance of Stones
Mindfulness creates a balance of attention and awareness. The real goal of mindfulness is not just paying attention to the mind, but creating an awareness of its true nature.
Balance exercises have found to be very helpful in relieving stress and reducing inner tension. Additionally, they improve focus, concentration and memory. Finally, the unquestionable benefit of the mindfulness activity is the ability to control emotions in critical and stressful moments. The simple act of balancing stones is a very powerful mindfulness technique.
Mindfulness Group Exercise:
The activity starts by collecting suitable stones and in the first round participants work on their own to see how high can they make their stone towers.
In the next round the same activity is done in pairs, but in silence, without any exchange of words. Once all the pairs have created their stone towers, we dismantle all the stone towers for the final round.
The final round, also done in pairs involves creating an inverted pyramid of stones – with the smaller stones at the base, and larger stones on the top.
Instead of just focusing on stacking the stones, pay attention to the center of gravity of each stone. With patience one can find out the exact alignment between two stones, which leads to the equilibrium of balance. At the end of this exercise, the group can sit in a circle and spend a little time to contemplate things that bring balance to their lives.
5. Mindful Immersion: Art of Leaves
There is a common myth that mindfulness has to be a very serious practice. However common sense tells us that to turn any activity into a habit, you have first learn how to have fun with it. If you don’t enjoy the process, it is difficult to sustain.
The mindless entertainment we engage in through television or social media may keep our attention focused, but it does not provide rest to our mind. On the contrary it over-stimulates it. One can see its impact in depleted attention spans, reduced concentration, and poor memory.
Here is a collection of 3 creative mindfulness activities that make use of the leaves for mindful immersion. These activities help you create some unique artworks, especially in Autumn.
Mindfulness Group Exercises:
Leaf Tracing: Pick any leaf. You choose a simple one or a complex shape. Trace the outline of the leaf with your eyes as slow as you can. Move from one edge of the base, all the way around to the complete the loop. This exercise is an excellent way to slow down your thoughts.
Leaf Collage: Group members work in pairs. Using different leaves they have to create a mythical or magical forest creature. Use the imagination to escape into a hidden world. This simple exercise raises the energy levels of the group. So the group leader must ensure that the silence of the group does not get lost.
Leaf Mandala: Each person in the group is assigned to collects leaves of a particular colour or shape. The group then works as one unit to create a geometric design on the forest floor using all the different leaves they have collected. It could be concentric circles, spirals, or a four-sided maze.
4. Mindful Play: Group Activities
How can we grow our mind with nature? Let us introduce you to Mindful Play, with activities that boost your attention span, observation, imagination, and emotional intelligence. These exercises are a great way for introducing mindfulness to younger audiences as well.
Just like we nourish our body with food, we can develop our mind through the play of our senses. It’s because the things we sense affect the things we think, feel, and learn. With the help of nature outside, we get a chance to understand our own inner nature and expand our mind.
One Thing: Stand in a circle. The group leader shares 1 thing in nature which is bringing them calm. All participants try and sense that 1 thing in silence for 30 seconds. Repeat the process with the next participant, until the circle is complete.
Who Am I: Participants take a short 10 minute walk in nature. Each person finds something in nature which represents them as a person. Regroup after the walk to share your object and why you chose it. This activity helps us get to know each other better and the values we hold dear. It is also a good way of seeing yourself reflected in nature.
Imagination Game: Place all the objects collected in the last round in the center of a circle. Pick up any object from the pile and ask group members to use their imagination to turn this object into something else. For e.g: A long stick can become a flying broom, or a microphone stand or a paddle for a boat. Participants have to enact the object and its use, without naming it. The others try and guess what the object is being turned into.
I Spy: As the group walks in nature, the leader finds something unique or interesting and calls out its name by saying “I spy a …(name of object – e.g mushroom / owl / blue flower). The first member in the group to spot the object, becomes the lead and gets to call out the next interesting object.
Connections: Standing in a circle, each participant chooses to be an object from nature. Moving clockwise, every member finds a partner that is related to their nature object and goes to stand next to them. For example – birds can join the trees. The clouds can join the rivers. The cycle repeats until there is only one big group left. End the activity with a group hug.
These mindfulness play activities yield insights to help us create a meaningful world. All of us are uniquely different, but we share the same home – our Earth. Expanding our mindfulness shows us that all life is deeply connected to each other. We are all part of Nature’s Play.
3. Mindful Appreciation: In Search Of Wonder
One of the most effective Mindfulness activities involves focusing on the emotion of awe, and wonder. It helps to shift our attention from the negative cycles of our mind that pull us down, to a more positive frame of mind.
For this activity we can either use the treasure-hunt model where the group goes out into nature and collects object based on a pre-given list, or we can ask the group members to just take a photograph of the objects.
For larger groups it is better to use photographs as it creates a lesser impact on the surrounding. The simple rule all participants need to follow is that you can only take one photograph per item on the list. By restricting the number of photographs, we get the group members to be more mindful of each shot they take. With this single rule we can turn our device of distraction into a mode of meditation.
Mindfulness Group Exercise:
One thing that makes you smile.
One thing that brings you calm.
One that fills you with hope.
One thing that makes you curious.
One thing that fills you with awe.
One thing that you are thankful for in nature.
What happens when we experience wonder? By Katie Steedly
People get along. When people are struck with wonder, they generally are not yelling, arguing, fighting, or angry. Wonder brings people together. We all agree that flowers are wonderful. We all agree that ducklings are wonderful. We all agree that coral reefs are wonderful. Butterflies? Wonderful. Chocolate? Wonderful. Sunsets? Wonderful. Wonder provides a moment where we can hold hands, (perhaps) tear up, and find common ground. The noise of life fades. A silence akin to speechlessness falls when we experience wonder. A gentle hush that is beyond words eases tension. Reflection paints wonderful moments with reverence. Wonder is calm in the chaos of the world.
The ability of Nature to inspire awe and wonder are one of the big factors that contribute to its healing effects on our mind. After a nature session, brain scans showed a sizable reduction of blood flow to the subgenual prefrontal cortex region. It is a region linked to sadness, withdrawal and general grumpiness.
2. Mindful Service: Gardens of Kindness
Community service as an outdoor mindfulness activity is an essential way of channelizing group energies for creating positive transformations. One such exercise involves creating or working in community gardens.
FOOD GARDEN: South Central Los Angeles, USA is a food desert – an area filled with liquor stores, fast food chains and vacant lots. Tired of driving 45 minutes to buy food that is not chemically treated, Ron Finley decided to turn some of those unused plots, starting with the patch in front of his house, into a food forest. With obesity rates 5X higher in South Central than in Beverly Hills, a neighbourhood only 8 to 10 miles away, Finley realized that food is the problem, but is also the solution. “The drive-throughs are killing more people than drive-bys”, he says. Finley and a group of volunteer gardeners from all over Los Angeles are changing that, one lot at a time. “Growing your own food is like printing your own money.”
MEDITATION GARDEN: A meditation garden is an island of tranquility which allows you to connect with nature and with yourself. It offers you a space to plant seeds of peace, hope, wonder, and joy within you. With a few simple nature elements you can transform any garden into a meditation garden. The heart of a meditation garden, beyond its visual appeal and the calming aesthetics is the thought, practice, and care which goes into connecting with your garden.
A true meditation garden is not about the space you have on ground, rather it is about creating the relation between your mind and your garden.
You can also learn how to create your own meditation garden through this article.
The real measure of our progress in mindfulness reflects in our behaviour and actions. The awareness of mindful groups is not limited to the present moment, but extends to foresee the impact of their actions on the future. We hope these example will inspire you to to create your own mindfulness community garden program.
Mindfulness of Breath
Every breath we take is a gift from nature. By being mindful of this simple truth we can learn a beautiful life-lesson. Watch this forest song to practise the mindfulness activity hidden in every breath. *Sound on, and full-screen recommended.
“Nothing ever exists entirely alone. Everything is in relation to everything else.” ~Buddha
Take a deeper dive with the Japanese art of nature mindfulness.
150+ mindful activities for your mind, body, relationships >> Nature Calm
We hope you enjoyed these outdoor mindfulness activities for groups. Add your own mindfulness exercises in the comments below to grow the collective knowledge.
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Mindfulness Activities For Groups: Summary
In nature everything exists as a relationship. Through mindfulness we learn to explore of our relationships with self, others and nature. Seeing a part of our Self in everything, and a part of everything in our Self, is the essence of mindfulness that groups help us discover.
Healing Forest is a project that aims to bring people and forests closer to each other through creativity and mindfulness. Our goal is simple. Helping people heal. Helping forest heal.
REQUEST: Please share this post so that it reaches those who might find it helpful.
Holistic living is an approach to life that more and more people are embracing and starting to believe in. What exactly is holistic living? What are the benefits of embracing a holistic lifestyle?
‘To me holistic living is about slowing down and listening to your body and honouring each facet of your being. Holistic living embraces the key pillars of health and wellbeing – it isn’t just based on one thing. Its a multifaceted approach that supports so many aspects of our life – from living a life with purpose, to getting restful sleep, to nourishing our bodies through nutrition and movement. Holistic living is also about living a life that is as closely connected to nature as possible, from the foods we eat, to the products we use, to the way in which we choose to spend our time. It’s about appreciating the gifts that Mother Nature provides, and supporting ourselves in a way that is kind to us and also the planet.
Holistic living is an understanding of ourselves and the natural world and how a process of co-creation with mother earth can bring about balance. Holistic living for me is rooted in the art of ritual – slowing down, tuning in to oneself, and being, rather than doing. Its about being mindful and creating small pockets of space within your day that nurture your wellbeing. This can take many forms and its about finding what is right for you. For me personally the benefits of this way of life means that I (mostly, not always) sustain a level of optimum wellbeing – a place of balance.’
Can you share some practical examples of what a holistic lifestyle looks like in the different areas of life?
‘Nutrition plays a huge role in my personal wellbeing. I like to make sure that I nourish my body with seasonal, organic food. I love receiving my Riverford Veg box each week and cooking wholesome food for my family. I have daily rituals and practices that guide me through my day. I find grounding and calmness in my breathwork practices, whether its functional breath work or calming relaxed techniques. If time and modern life allows, I try to find 30 mins a day to dedicate to ‘Breath’.
I have a natural desire to avoid using harmful chemicals in everything I use, from face cream to washing powder. I try to be respectful to my body at all times. Nature and the outdoors are my decompression from the stresses and frustrations of modern life.’
When did you discover holistic living yourself and at what point did you decide that it was something that you wanted to help other women with?
‘I have always had a passion and interest in how we can empower and support ourselves on our health and healing journey, particularly in the area of women’s health. The cyclical nature and changes a woman body goes through, means that we are never really in the same place for very long and this can be hard to navigate. I’m not sure I can pinpoint an exact moment where I discovered holistic living, only that it’s been an ever evolving journey. I guess my Mum was a bit of a trailblazer in that she was using organic and biodynamic produce back when we were children. I remember suffering with cystic acne in my twenties and after trying a number of prescribed medications, I wanted to take a different approach, an approach that looks at root cause, instead of management of symptoms. The results were amazing and it made me realise that our western view of health is so reactive.
Since then I have gone on to further my understanding of holistic living, through my own personal health challenges and working with various practitioners, along with my training to become a certified Rhythm Of Beauty Coach and Therapist. Becoming a mother was the catalyst for wanting to help other women and so ‘Face of Nature’ was born.’
In your holistic coaching business Face Of Nature you provide nutritional guidance, skincare advice and mindfulness sessions. Can you tell us about these three areas and how they work together?
‘Our skin is our largest organ and can be a great indicator of whats going on inside. Our skin cells renew every 26-28 days and is a continuous process of renewal and elimination as we journey through the seasons. My work encompasses nutrition, skincare and mindfulness as much of my work is guided by principles of Traditional Chinese medicine where the body and mind are viewed as one, and health and wellbeing is treated in the most holistic sense.
In my 1.1 sessions with clients I like to hold space and provide support and guidance on all aspects of their wellbeing, from sleep, seasonal nutrition, hormonal health and skin health. According to traditional Chinese medicine, certain points of the face relate to a particular organ. For example, a client may present with darkness and heavy bags under their eyes which relate to the kidney meridian and could be a sign of dehydration and kidney imbalance. I would then provide nutritional guidance that could support the particular organ along with massage and Gua Sha techniques for further support.
I’m a huge believer and advocate in the importance of nutrition. I love being able to advise my clients around seasonal nutrition that is guided by 5 element theory. It focuses on supporting and nourishing ourselves with nutritious food that supports the element of that season and also eating foods that nourish particular organs that may need further support. My work is always guided by an integrated mind and body approach.’
It’s your vision to empower women to live naturally and in alignment with the seasons. What does that look like to you and why do you think it is so important?
‘I wanted to be able to help other women to feel their best and empower them by sharing the wisdom and knowledge I have gained as I continue on my own journey. I want to be able to provide the tools and guidance to support my clients so they feel that they can take charge of their own health.
Healing isn’t linear – its ever evolving and when we look at health in this way makes space for acceptance, for ourselves and all that we are and where we are on our own personal journey.
We live in such a fast paced and connected world where we often don’t have the chance to switch off and reconnect to ourselves. For me guiding and aligning my clients back to a place of balance is what I love best. As a mum of two, I understand fully the pressures and challenges that motherhood can bring, so it’s vital to carve out time to connect back into yourself, something that I feel isn’t prioritised in our society.’
You live near the Peak District and spend a lot of time outdoors. How do you connect with nature?
‘I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Each weekend we like to get out and explore. Whether that’s a walk in the hills, or foraging the hedgerows for seasonal goodies, it’s crucial that, we as a family, get out and blow away the cobwebs so to speak! Nature connection is just part of our family life. A couple of weekends ago, my little boy Albert asked if we could go out onto the lane and to the fields behind us so we could make a ‘ family crumble’ (also more commonly known as a blackberry crumble). If I’m feeling less adventurous, then I love to spend time in our garden that is surrounded by mature trees and on the doorstep of the hills. The simple act of just being in nature, grounding and observing is the perfect antidote for when you feel tense or anxious.
‘Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air’ Ralph Waldo Emerson. This is a mantra I like to live by.’
What would be your advice for someone who is just starting to learn more about holistic living? What are simple ways to take the first steps towards a holistic lifestyle?
‘Cooking and eating nutrient rich food is always a great place to start. Look out for organic and seasonal produce and try to make time to cook home made food.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, so its crucial that we make time for our wellness. Start small and simple, schedule some time in for yourself. Whether that’s a ten minute morning walk on your lunch break or when the kids have been dropped off at school, or it’s making yourself a warm drink to be enjoyed without the disruption of technology. Slow down and take time to feel into what your body and mind require that day and honour it! Its not about perfection, but rather an awareness and looking at ways in which we can slow down.
I recommend reading ‘The things you can only see when you slow down’ by Haemin Sunim.’
What does slow living mean to you?
‘Slow living to me is about making choices that are guided by our intuition and making decisions that are made with intention. Slow living embraces making time to honour our needs and making time to pause. Slow living is about noticing, whether that’s noticing the seasonal changes in nature, the changes in our physical being, the changes in our skin or changes in our mental health.
Slow living is about the seasons, rhythms and the cycles and our place and connection to something that is much bigger than ourselves. Slow living embodies making time to just be – in that present moment. Slow living is about coming out of the mind and dropping into the body and listening, really listening and making time to honour what we need – creating small rituals that nourish the body and feed the soul!’
SLOW FIRE QUESTIONS
Favourite place to read a book? At home in our big copper bath filled with magnesium flakes and essential oils, or on holiday by the sea!
Favourite coffee or tea shop? The Dream Boat in Anglesey! They make the most beautiful home made Oat Mylk Tumeric Latte!
Favourite place in nature? I have so many! I guess The Peak District, the place I call home would have to be at the top of my list. Another place close to my heart would have to be Pembrokeshire in Wales. We stay in an Onsen Dome at a place called Fforest and its a week filled with river swims, long coastal walks, and days by the sea! If I’m feeling less adventurous then my garden, barefoot, listening to the birds and watching nature unfold.
Favourite independent shop or maker? Well of course it goes without saying that two of the brands within my shop – Rhythm of Beauty and Eve and Keel make the most beautiful seasonal skincare and essential oil blends.
Favourite slow living ritual? It would have to be my skincare ritual which involve the start and end of each day! In the mornings I like to take just a few minutes to use my products mindfully, breathing deeply, anchoring myself into the day.
In the evenings, I have more time on my hands so I’m able to spend a little longer on this self care ritual. It’s as though each time I cleanse my skin, it removes some of the stresses and strains from the day. To finish I like to spend some time using my favourite facial tool which is the Gua Sha. Using this restorative crystal everyday, helps to improve energy flow and supports circulation, leaving my skin glowing and my mind calm.
AMY’S SLOW LIVING TIP Be intentional with your time
‘Be still, breathe, practice gratitude! Make time for yourself and turn routine into ritual. Be intentional with your time!’
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Holistic living is an approach to life that more and more people are embracing and starting to believe in. What exactly is holistic living? What are the benefits of embracing a holistic lifestyle?
‘To me holistic living is about slowing down and listening to your body and honouring each facet of your being. Holistic living embraces the key pillars of health and wellbeing – it isn’t just based on one thing. Its a multifaceted approach that supports so many aspects of our life – from living a life with purpose, to getting restful sleep, to nourishing our bodies through nutrition and movement. Holistic living is also about living a life that is as closely connected to nature as possible, from the foods we eat, to the products we use, to the way in which we choose to spend our time. It’s about appreciating the gifts that Mother Nature provides, and supporting ourselves in a way that is kind to us and also the planet.
Holistic living is an understanding of ourselves and the natural world and how a process of co-creation with mother earth can bring about balance. Holistic living for me is rooted in the art of ritual – slowing down, tuning in to oneself, and being, rather than doing. Its about being mindful and creating small pockets of space within your day that nurture your wellbeing. This can take many forms and its about finding what is right for you. For me personally the benefits of this way of life means that I (mostly, not always) sustain a level of optimum wellbeing – a place of balance.’
Can you share some practical examples of what a holistic lifestyle looks like in the different areas of life?
‘Nutrition plays a huge role in my personal wellbeing. I like to make sure that I nourish my body with seasonal, organic food. I love receiving my Riverford Veg box each week and cooking wholesome food for my family. I have daily rituals and practices that guide me through my day. I find grounding and calmness in my breathwork practices, whether its functional breath work or calming relaxed techniques. If time and modern life allows, I try to find 30 mins a day to dedicate to ‘Breath’.
I have a natural desire to avoid using harmful chemicals in everything I use, from face cream to washing powder. I try to be respectful to my body at all times. Nature and the outdoors are my decompression from the stresses and frustrations of modern life.’
When did you discover holistic living yourself and at what point did you decide that it was something that you wanted to help others with?
‘I have always had a passion and interest in how we can empower and support ourselves on our health and healing journey, particularly in the area of women’s health. The cyclical nature and changes a woman body goes through, means that we are never really in the same place for very long and this can be hard to navigate. I’m not sure I can pinpoint an exact moment where I discovered holistic living, only that it’s been an ever evolving journey. I guess my Mum was a bit of a trailblazer in that she was using organic and biodynamic produce back when we were children. I remember suffering with cystic acne in my twenties and after trying a number of prescribed medications, I wanted to take a different approach, an approach that looks at root cause, instead of management of symptoms. The results were amazing and it made me realise that our western view of health is so reactive.
Since then I have gone on to further my understanding of holistic living, through my own personal health challenges and working with various practitioners, along with my training to become a certified Rhythm Of Beauty Coach and Therapist. Becoming a mother was the catalyst for wanting to help other women and so ‘Face of Nature’ was born.’
In your holistic coaching business Face Of Nature you provide nutritional guidance, skincare advice and mindfulness sessions. Can you tell us about these three areas and how they work together?
‘Our skin is our largest organ and can be a great indicator of whats going on inside. Our skin cells renew every 26-28 days and is a continuous process of renewal and elimination as we journey through the seasons. My work encompasses nutrition, skincare and mindfulness as much of my work is guided by principles of Traditional Chinese medicine where the body and mind are viewed as one, and health and wellbeing is treated in the most holistic sense.
In my 1.1 sessions with clients I like to hold space and provide support and guidance on all aspects of their wellbeing, from sleep, seasonal nutrition, hormonal health and skin health. According to traditional Chinese medicine, certain points of the face relate to a particular organ. For example, a client may present with darkness and heavy bags under their eyes which relate to the kidney meridian and could be a sign of dehydration and kidney imbalance. I would then provide nutritional guidance that could support the particular organ along with massage and Gua Sha techniques for further support.
I’m a huge believer and advocate in the importance of nutrition. I love being able to advise my clients around seasonal nutrition that is guided by 5 element theory. It focuses on supporting and nourishing ourselves with nutritious food that supports the element of that season and also eating foods that nourish particular organs that may need further support. My work is always guided by an integrated mind and body approach.’
It’s your vision to empower women to live naturally and in alignment with the seasons. What does that look like to you and why do you think it is so important?
‘I wanted to be able to help other women to feel their best and empower them by sharing the wisdom and knowledge I have gained as I continue on my own journey. I want to be able to provide the tools and guidance to support my clients so they feel that they can take charge of their own health.
Healing isn’t linear – its ever evolving and when we look at health in this way makes space for acceptance, for ourselves and all that we are and where we are on our own personal journey.
We live in such a fast paced and connected world where we often don’t have the chance to switch off and reconnect to ourselves. For me guiding and aligning my clients back to a place of balance is what I love best. As a mum of two, I understand fully the pressures and challenges that motherhood can bring, so it’s vital to carve out time to connect back into yourself, something that I feel isn’t prioritised in our society.’
You live near the Peak District and spend a lot of time outdoors. How do you connect with nature?
‘I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Each weekend we like to get out and explore. Whether that’s a walk in the hills, or foraging the hedgerows for seasonal goodies, it’s crucial that, we as a family, get out and blow away the cobwebs so to speak! Nature connection is just part of our family life. A couple of weekends ago, my little boy Albert asked if we could go out onto the lane and to the fields behind us so we could make a ‘ family crumble’ (also more commonly known as a blackberry crumble). If I’m feeling less adventurous, then I love to spend time in our garden that is surrounded by mature trees and on the doorstep of the hills. The simple act of just being in nature, grounding and observing is the perfect antidote for when you feel tense or anxious.
‘Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air’ Ralph Waldo Emerson. This is a mantra I like to live by.’
What would be your advice for someone who is just starting to learn more about holistic living? What are simple ways to take the first steps towards a holistic lifestyle?
‘Cooking and eating nutrient rich food is always a great place to start. Look out for organic and seasonal produce and try to make time to cook home made food.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, so its crucial that we make time for our wellness. Start small and simple, schedule some time in for yourself. Whether that’s a ten minute morning walk on your lunch break or when the kids have been dropped off at school, or it’s making yourself a warm drink to be enjoyed without the disruption of technology. Slow down and take time to feel into what your body and mind require that day and honour it! Its not about perfection, but rather an awareness and looking at ways in which we can slow down.
I recommend reading ‘The things you can only see when you slow down’ by Haemin Sunim.’
What does slow living mean to you?
‘Slow living to me is about making choices that are guided by our intuition and making decisions that are made with intention. Slow living embraces making time to honour our needs and making time to pause. Slow living is about noticing, whether that’s noticing the seasonal changes in nature, the changes in our physical being, the changes in our skin or changes in our mental health.
Slow living is about the seasons, rhythms and the cycles and our place and connection to something that is much bigger than ourselves. Slow living embodies making time to just be – in that present moment. Slow living is about coming out of the mind and dropping into the body and listening, really listening and making time to honour what we need – creating small rituals that nourish the body and feed the soul!’
SLOW FIRE QUESTIONS
Favourite place to read a book? At home in our big copper bath filled with magnesium flakes and essential oils, or on holiday by the sea!
Favourite coffee or tea shop? The Dream Boat in Anglesey! They make the most beautiful home made Oat Mylk Tumeric Latte!
Favourite place in nature? I have so many! I guess The Peak District, the place I call home would have to be at the top of my list. Another place close to my heart would have to be Pembrokeshire in Wales. We stay in an Onsen Dome at a place called Fforest and its a week filled with river swims, long coastal walks, and days by the sea! If I’m feeling less adventurous then my garden, barefoot, listening to the birds and watching nature unfold.
Favourite independent shop or maker? Well of course it goes without saying that two of the brands within my shop – Rhythm of Beauty and Eve and Keel make the most beautiful seasonal skincare and essential oil blends.
Favourite slow living ritual? It would have to be my skincare ritual which involve the start and end of each day! In the mornings I like to take just a few minutes to use my products mindfully, breathing deeply, anchoring myself into the day.
In the evenings, I have more time on my hands so I’m able to spend a little longer on this self care ritual. It’s as though each time I cleanse my skin, it removes some of the stresses and strains from the day. To finish I like to spend some time using my favourite facial tool which is the Gua Sha. Using this restorative crystal everyday, helps to improve energy flow and supports circulation, leaving my skin glowing and my mind calm.
AMY’S SLOW LIVING TIP Be intentional with your time
‘Be still, breathe, practice gratitude! Make time for yourself and turn routine into ritual. Be intentional with your time!’
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100 Relaxing Activities To Destress & Calm Your Mind
Looking for some relaxing activities you can turn to when you need to relieve stress and calm your mind?
Yes – me too! This is why I’ve created this go-to list you and I can use when we need it most.
Let’s face it – when we’re most stressed we may not always have the best ideas to relieve that stress, so turning to a relaxing activities list is great to reference.
I have created a few different categories to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for:
This post contains Amazon links
100 Relaxing Activities To Destress
Relaxing Outdoor Activities
A great way to reduce your stress levels is to get outside. Nature and the outdoors can have a hugely positive impact on mental health as well as physical health.
According to Mind.org.uk, the great outdoors can positively impact your mood, reduce feelings of stress and anger, and help you feel more relaxed amongst many other benefits.
Here are some relaxing outdoor activities you can try.
1. Walk around the block – perfect to relieve stress quickly
2. Gardening – prune, water, dig and admire your hard work
3. Get fresh air – try having your morning coffee or after-work drink outside to unwind and create some space for peace
4. Go to the beach – you can even go alone which might be even more relaxing for you
5. Hike – Visit a local trail and take a slow hike. Make sure to take in all the sounds, scents and sights of your surroundings
6. Kayak – A peaceful water sport you can do with a friend or two. Focus on paddling and being in the present moment
7. Watch the sunrise/sunset – the perfect way to start or end your day
8. Take a gratitude walk – find out 4 different ways to take one
9. Feed the birds – if you have a bird feeder at home you’ll know that the birds eat quickly! So, feed the birds whenever you need to relax – then sit back and watch them.
10. Have a picnic in the park – find a cozy spot under a tree and watch the passersby
11. Visit a botanical garden
12. Go for a walk in the park – if you can’t get to a longer hiking trail, a walk in the park is another relaxing way to spend some quality time outside.
13. Pick some flowers – pick some from your garden and put them into a vase or go to a flower shop and treat yourself
14. Do some stargazing – you can make this a family or solo activity
15. Lay in a hammock and take in the sky and clouds
16. Nap outside – in the hammock or on a blanket
17. Attend a local festival – whether it’s books, food, art music, choose one that will bring peace and joy to your heart
18. Pick fruit – have a good time picking berries, apples, pears, etc and take a hayride too if available
19. Attend a local kid’s sports game – if you find yourself in a park and there’s a kid’s soccer, football or baseball game, stop and watch
20. Visit an animal sanctuary and make sure to have a cuddle with as many furry friends as possible
Relaxing Activities At Home
Here are some relaxation techniques and exercises you can do at home – all of which are simple for anyone to do.
21. Water your houseplants
22. Do a puzzle
23. Create a good bedtime routine (and follow it)
24. Look at old photos
25. Create a vision board
26. Play board games or card games with family members
27. Have a nap – perfect for a weekend
28. Watch a comedy special on Netflix
29. Do some yoga either on your own, with an online class or app
30. Bake something sweet – perfect to do on a rainy day
31. Diffuse relaxing essential oils – like lavender
32. Make love with your spouse
33. Watch a good movie
34. Clean the house – a clean house creates a relaxing environment to do all of the other things you want
35. Put on some comfy clothes
36. Tidy a drawer in your bedroom
37. Use a foot massager – this is the one I love
38. Light some candles and cozy up
39. Do something creative – sketch, paint, draw
40. Try some adult coloring books – my favorite are from Johanna Basford
41. Have a fire – either in a fire pit outside or a fireplace if you’re lucky to have one
42. Watch an episode of your favorite TV show
43. Be the first to wake up – so you can have good quality alone time
44. Declutter a small space – for example your closet or car
45. Have a girl’s night in – invite a friend over for a visit and a great chit chat
46. Call a good friend – I love to do this when I’m not feeling great. I call someone who I know will make me smile
47. Dance – in the kitchen while cooking or anywhere else your heart desires
48. Try creative writing – a great way to release your feelings and creative ideas
49. Drink a seasonal beverage – pumpkin spice latte, hot chocolate, strawberry and mint water
50. Write a letter or postcard to someone you love
51. Stretch – stretching can help you physically relax. Do it before bed and when you rise in the morning.
Relaxing Activities Before Bed
If you’re looking for ideas on how to relax before bed, here are some simple activities you can try – designed to help you unwind.
52. Wash and moisturize your face slowly
53. Write in a gratitude journal – here’s one I created with 52 writing prompts for every week of the year
54. Read a good book
55. Write a Simple Pleasures List
56. Knit or crochet
57. Soak in a warm bath – add in some candles and bath balms or bubble bath to make it extra relaxing
58. Have a hot, cozy drink before bed – try some herbal teas, hot chocolate or golden milk tea
59. Have a long hot shower
60. Use a face mask
61. Use a noise maker – this one helps me sleep soundly every night and also helps me relax before bed
62. Cuddle – with your pet, kid, spouse
Physical contact and touch in a non-sexual form stimulates the release of feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, while reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol and norepinephrine. (Source)
63. Listen to a sleep story from Calm
Things To Relax Your Mind
We not only need to feel relaxed physically but mentally.
64. Try a calming app like Headspace
65. Get some light exercise
66. Go for a drive in the countryside
67. Write some positive affirmations and recite them in the mirror
68. Try guided visualization – Check out this beautiful guided visualization that helps you practice the law of attraction
69. Walk barefoot to ground yourself
70. Write it down – release your stress onto paper
71. Try a body scan meditation – the act of mindfully scanning your body from head to toe. Learn more here.
72. Try Tai Chi
73. Pray, or read the bible or other religious texts
74. Listen to music – make a playlist of your favorite songs or try something different like classical music
75. Do some walking meditation
76. Practice deep breathing – focus on taking deep breaths through your nose and deep into your chest, and then releasing
77. Write a feel-good list – this is a list of things that make you feel good. List everything you can think of from little to small. Then next time you need a pick me up you can refer to the list.
78. Read some poetry
79. Read some inspiring quotes – start with these:
80. Take a break – feel the stress coming on? Walk away from whatever you are doing and take a break.
Relaxing Activities To Do In Your Area
81. Spend quality time with a friend
82. Go on a date with yourself
83. Have a pedicure – either go to a local spot or give one to yourself
84. Have a spa day – plunge pool, sauna, facial
85. Go on a date with your partner
86. Visit an art gallery or museum
87. Visit a local cafe
88. Have dinner with friends
89. Sign up for a weekly pottery or ceramics class
90. Get a much-needed good massage
More Relaxing Activities For Adults
91. Get to know your self-love language
92. Learn about a 30-day challenge and choose one to focus on
93. Write a bucket list
94. Use one of these self-care worksheets
95. Listen to an inspiring podcast
96. Try some journal prompts like these prompts for self-love
97. Have a cup of tea or coffee – just the process of making tea or coffee can be relaxing
98. Create a self-care checklist
99. Do a hobby you love or try a new one
100. Follow a feel-good social media account and check out their content – think cute animals, cute kids, good deeds, etc
Final Thoughts
Everyday stress can be overwhelming for most of us, so deciding what your go-to relaxing activities are is a fantastic way to introduce more inner peace and calm into your life.
To begin your own relaxation practices I recommend using these relaxing activities as a starting point to figure out what helps you create the right balance in your day.
What Relaxing Activities Do You Do In Your Daily Life?
And will you add any new ways to relax to your daily routine? Share in the comments section below to inspire others.
Related Resources To Help You Relax:
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