5.
Mindfulness and Meditation
The best way to help your child build a nature habit is to focus on mindfulness and meditation.Mindfulness is the act of being fully present in the moment in a non-judgmental way. Research shows that being mindful can help us feel balanced and more at peace. Nature is the perfect place to practice mindfulness with its many soothing sights, sounds, and scents. Breathing outdoors, for example, helps us notice natural fragrances and the temperature while also taking in fresh oxygen as we connect with the greenery. There are many effective tools to help children practice mindfulness, including meditation, yoga, breathing techniques, and guided imagery. Here are some ways for kids to feel mindful from connecting with nature:• Visit nature-filled spots that will help your child be more mindful, such as forests, hiking trails, beaches, waterfalls, and botanical gardens. • Record your own nature sounds. Take along a recording device during a nature walk, trip to the beach, or other outdoor excursion. Capture those relaxing sounds to play again later.• Enjoy yoga outside and try some animal and nature type poses to engage your child. • Get adventurous and sign up for an animal yoga session as a family.• Have your child feel different textures in a mindful way. Examples include tree bark, grass, leaves, flower petals, stones, and friendly animals to pet.To learn more about the benefits of nature meditation and to discover tons more ideas, check out Chapter 2 of my book Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer.