Mindfulness and Trees - an antidote to anxiety

Right now, there is much that is uncertain and scary. 

Mindfulness is a practice that can reduce stress and anxiety and give us a greater sense of agency or control in anxious times.  Instead of our minds running away with thoughts about potential future worries that we can’t control, mindfulness enables us to be in the moment and focus on things in that moment.

Mindfulness is defined by  John Kabot-Zin as ‘awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally’.  In the 5 Ways to Wellbeing model it’s described as Take Notice or Be Aware.  There is significant evidence that mindfulness not only aids our mental health, reducing stress and anxiety but also enhances our physical health boosting our immune system and reducing our blood pressure –two aspects that could become very important to us as we work to keep healthy.

What are some simple ways we can increase mindfulness every day? 

There are many - today I'm focusing on a mindful walk.  If you are practicing social distancing but not quarantined at home a mindful walk in a park will be beneficial.  This will incorporate added health and wellbeing benefits such as exposure to sunshine (vitamin D) and nature.   

Last weekend I walked in the Kamay National Park and focused on the trees, specifically their trunks. 

I took notice of the shapes and the textures of their trunks.

I observed those that appeared to have survived storms.

And those who were very different to each other.

I noticed those who had symbiotic relationships with other organisms such as this scribbly bark gum tree where a moth made the patterns in the trunk as it burrows below the bark.

At each point of taking notice I was mindful of the tree in front of me.  I wasn’t worrying about COVID19 or concerned for my family or other issues.  I was noticing and appreciating each tree and its trunk. 

Jodi Harris, a special friend and colleague has a business called World Tree Coaching where she delivers virtual mindfulness training and coaching.  She uses the image of the tree to guide her values in business and life.  She considers the tree trunk as the heart of the tree and believes “When we live from the heart we can’t go wrong. Cultivating love and self-compassion is especially important for expats as the experience can often feel out of control.” 

In 2020, cultivating love and self-compassion is especially important for all of us.