Exploring the wild heritage of the New Forest

I’m always grateful that I can step outside my home to explore a variety of wild places. I believe you can find ‘wild’ anywhere. It could be the large, open heathland and coastal landscapes of the New Forest or simply under a hedgerow or within the tangle of brambles growing over a fallen tree. It’s allowing yourself the time and space to reframe your thoughts and tune into your senses: paying attention and noticing the natural world around you. Often, we can be rewarded with a clarity and fresh perspective that is both unexpected and exciting.

In this post, I’d like to share with you a few of my favourite nature connection practices that are explored on my guided walks.  

Mindful walking – paying full attention to the experience of walking and being aware of the present moment.

First steps: Take a few full deep breaths – in through your nose and out through your mouth. Notice how your feet are grounded and the rhythm of your body breathing. Now begin to wiggle your fingers, then gently move your arms, shoulders, back, neck and then gently shake your legs.  Pay attention to how your body feels.

Now focus on your footsteps as you begin walking. How does the ground feel beneath your feet?

Adjust your body so you are walking in a relaxed and uplifted posture.  Allow yourself to feel the warmth of the sun or the breeze on your face, breathe in the scents and hear the sounds around you.

Curious mind: With an inquisitive and open mind, nature is an endless source of discovery.

Enjoy whatever you experience along the way. Really look as if encountering it for the first time. For example, I love finding an ant hill and ‘ant watching’. In the New Forest, the large nests of the common Southern Black Wood Ant (Formica rufa) can be easily spotted along the edge of conifer woodlands along open south-facing tracks. They live in highly social and complex communities that is both fascinating and exhausting to watch! Maybe it’s the analogy between our own busy lives and accepting that we need time to reflect, slow down and just observe.

Focus attention: Take an opportunity for a moment of stillness and soak up the natural world with all your attention.

Sit spot:  Usually after walking mindfully for a while you’ll naturally feel the need to stop and be still in your own wild space. Make yourself comfortable. I often bring along a sit upon mat for this purpose.  Take a deep breath through your nose – what smells do you notice? Look carefully with your eyes – light and shadow, movement and stillness. Tune into the sounds around you – you don’t need to know what you’re hearing: just listen. Often after a short time wildlife will become unaware of your presence and you may be treated to some interesting wild sights and sounds. If you get distracted by your thoughts, acknowledge this, and bring your mind back to your senses.

Colour search: Sometimes we need to focus on a simple task to help us let go of distracting thoughts. I use a small piece of card with a strip of double-sided sticky tape. Peel off the layer of protective tape and stick on small pieces of natural materials to make a collage to create a visual memory of that moment. Notice small details. What colours and textures are you drawn to? Crush and experiment with smells. I love the aroma of freshly picked pine tree needles.

Gratitude: Readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

As you finish your walk reflect upon and acknowledge the process of being mindful.  Nature is an integral part of our happiness and wellbeing. What have you noticed on your walk and feel thankful for? It could be the sun shining, the sound of birds singing or bring still for a moment and simply observing. Attach value to these moments and be compassionate to yourself. Notice how bringing them to mind makes you feel.

Before leaving, you might like to find an item that you are drawn to or have collected during your walk to leave as a gift as an expression of thankfulness, or to let go of a worry.

Remember wellbeing is a learnt practice that takes time. Developing a strong connection with nature is a process that is nurtured through conscious effect and repeated engagement with the natural world.