An Exercise in Mindfulness for the Summer

Mindfulness is a great skill to keep ourselves calm and enjoy the world around us. Whether it is to decompress from a stressful day or give yourself a moment to slow down, mindfulness can be used at any time. Exercise is also considered one of the best combatants of stress and mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Why not combine the two?

Start this exercise in your neighborhood or local park. Go for a long walk and enjoy the warmer weather. Stop and take a moment to observe what is around you. Is there a new plant blossoming? What color is it? If you would like, take photos of your observations on your walk. You can look back at these later and identify the plants and animals you saw. Or you can simply use them as a reminder of a peaceful moment you had with yourself and nature.