Mindfulness and Yard Care is the topic of today’s episode. Taking care of the yard can have a strong element of mindfulness to it, and that’s exactly why I decided to focus on the mindfulness of yard care for today’s episode. I’m talking particularly about looking after your plants and flowers. I still spend a lot of time looking after my yard today, and I find it to be quite a mindful experience. It involves planting and watering the flowers and trimming bushes and shrubs. Safety First If you’re practicing mindfulness while doing a task like grasscutting, your safety is the most important element to be concerned about. Wear steel-toed boots and long pants to be as safe as possible. Your mind should always be first and foremost on the task at hand. For today’s episode, I will mostly talk about planting and caring for flowers around your property. Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify 7 Ways Looking After Your Yard Can Be Mindful 1/ Focus on Sounds2/ Notice the Colors3/ Be Aware of the Air4/ Notice Your Breathing5/ See the Clouds6/ Say an Affirmation7/ Enjoy the Appearance Focus On Sounds Maybe you’re hearing birds, crickets, cattle, or chickens, or maybe you’re in a town or city environment where you’re hearing traffic or children or construction sounds. Whatever you’re hearing, practice becoming aware of the sounds, and then letting them go into a mix of released sound. Notice The Colors Enjoy the colors of the flowers or bushes you’re working on. Are there vivid reds and yellows or various shades of greens? Allow yourself to see the beauty in all of the colors nature has surrounded you with. Be Aware of the Air Be one with nature by being aware of the air around you. Are there pleasant aromas and scents in the outdoor air? Do you smell the grass or certain plants? Maybe you’re noticing some earthy smells or some herbs or spicy smells. Do those smells remind you of anything from the past? Smells and aromas can be an extremely powerful link to the past. Allow yourself to go to some past place or experience that may be conjured up by the scent in the air. Notice Your Breathing Decide to do nose-breathing; in for 7, pause for 2, and out of the mouth for 5. It’s fun to allow yourself to focus on breathing, especially while you’re doing easy and routine tasks you’re very familiar with. See The Clouds Notice the color, texture, and movement of the clouds as you work away at each of the particular tasks. Look for images in the clouds or maybe there’s a message there? Be open to any messages that exist there, no matter how fleeting. Say An Affirmation Say an affirmation over and over to yourself as you work on your yard work. Something like, “I am so happy and fortunate in this present moment to be surrounded by nature’s beauty.” I just did an online search and found this one that I really like: My spirit is nourished by spending time in nature. Enjoy The Appearance Allow yourself to enjoy the look of the flowers, bushes, and hedges you’ve been working on. Notice the overall appearance and the beauty of the different textures and the other elements like fences, flower pots, bird baths, or other features. Maybe you have a trellis with climbing vines or hollyhocks that are taller than people. Suggested Resources Book: RHS Gardening for Mindfulness by Holly Farrell Book: Seeds of Mindfulness: 101 Mindful Moments in the Garden by Fiann O Nuallain Book: Mindfulness in the Garden: Zen Tools for Digging in the Dirt by Zachiah Murray App: Calm Related Episodes Help Yourself To A Life Well Lived With Dr. Ellie Katz The Feng Shui of Mindfulness; Paula Brown Nature and Mindfulness Weekends With Bruce Langford and Hilde Larsen Special Offer Are you experiencing anxiety & stress? I’m Bruce Langford, a practicing hypnotist helping fast-track people just like you to shed their inner bully and move forward with confidence. Book a Free Session to get you to a more satisfying life, feeling gr