Felsted School students discover Mindfulness in Nature
We’re delighted to welcome Felsted Prep School back to the Chatham Green Project for a further day of educational activities delivered outside the classroom. Today’s Year 7 groups are embracing the concept of mindfulness, continuing studies that have been taking place in school this term.
What is mindfulness?
We all have busy lives and busy minds with lots of chatter in our heads about the things we are doing, the things we have to do and the things we have just done. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on the present moment and increasing your awareness of it. Becoming more aware of the present moment means noticing the sights, smells, sounds and tastes that you experience, as well as the thoughts and feelings that occur from one moment to the next. At the Chatham Green Project, when we are being mindful we focus on the natural sights and sounds around us. The result is that we feel calmer, more relaxed and frequently happier.
Being aware is one of the five evidence-based steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing. Learn more about the five steps for mental wellbeing (external link to NHS Choices website).
Birds and Minibeasts
To provide students with material for English language exercises later in the day (poetry and creative writing) we are offering a range of mindful nature activities to the children. Quite time will be spent watching birds in our brand new custom built bird hide, which looks out of the field margins of the agricultural production area of the farm. Students will sit quietly listening to the sounds of the birds and watching them come and go. Following this we will be meditating on trees and plants and then finally undertaking some exploration of our new woodland pond from the safety of the pond dipping platform.
For further information on how the Chatham Green Project can support the development of your students – including mindful activities in nature – please call the education team on 0300 123 3073 or email info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk
