Rock painting can be a great way to practice mindfulness as it allows you to focus your attention on the present moment while engaging in a creative activity. Remember, the goal is to relax, reduce stress and anxiety and enjoy the process of creating, not to produce a perfect piece of art. So, have fun and let your creativity flow!
The clocks have gone forward, and days are getting longer. At this time of year, many people plan a spring clean of the home. The clean may involve decluttering the kitchen cupboards, shredding old bills, recycling unwanted clothes, and giving the hallway a new lick of paint. When you finally get to relax in your shiny, clean home, it can leave you feeling refreshed and energised.
Cleaning your physical environment is a great way to feel better generally. But how about a mental spring clean to sweep out the old unhelpful beliefs and stories you tell yourself?
Glitter jars (or calm-down jars) have been used as a mindfulness practice for children and adults for years. When someone is struggling with their emotions, the glitter in a shaken jar is like their thoughts, which like the glitter, calms down eventually.
I find watercolours very satisfying. Sometimes only playing with colours and not necessarily creating anything in particular works for me. During the lockdown, I used to do a daily 15-minute watercolour practice, and it felt great. I’m trying to return to this, even if not every day. I try to find a couple of minutes to myself to relax and watch the pigment spread on the paper.
Online shopping holds value. It can be more accessible for some, it gives you space to compare prices and brands, and there is more variety available. Unfortunately, despite there being some positive aspects of the online shopping experience, it has also exacerbated the problem of fast fashion and its impact on us as individuals and the earth. This is because it makes it more convenient, and in some cases cheaper, to shop.
Imagine being a hibernating bear and doing this in your cave: take a deep breath counting slowly to three, hold it counting to three, exhale counting to three and hold again counting to three.
Take a deep belly breath and slowly exhale making a soft hissing sound. Follow your experience, emotions and repeat until you feel a little bit calmer.
Take a deep breath, make an O shape with your lips and release the air slowly making hoo-hoo sounds.
Find a comfortable place on the floor, go on all fours and arch your back a little bit (some Yoga teachers also advise crossing your eyes during the exercise), take a deep breath in and during the out-breath stick your tongue out and make a hissing sound. Repeat.