Nature

Mindfulness - Community
NHS GGC

“Most people’s minds are almost always too busy for them to feel their skins being caressed by the wind or the sun.”
― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

We think it would be fair to say that Glasgow is not known for it’s sunny climate, even in the summer... so when we have a few days of sunshine many of us want to find a way to be outside and enjoy them. The lifting of another level of lockdown brings opportunities to thoughtfully travel outside of our local burghs. Rather than rush to some of the popular beauty spots when the sun puts in an appearance, here is a project, Slow Ways, that encourages us to slow down and explore being outside in a  different way that supports others. 

Some additional information for those in Scotland.

We are aware that some of you who use this app live out with the UK, if there is not a similar project near you, maybe you could link with friends, family and your local community to create a local one to share wherever you are.

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“Ancient trees are precious. There is little else on Earth that plays host to such a rich community of life within a single living organism.”

— Sir David Attenborough

Using photosynthesis, a tree combines a little water with carbon dioxide from the air to produce the building blocks for its own growth, as well as oxygen for us. We breath in the oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide. The tree breaths in our carbon dioxide and draws it back in to itself to grow. Over time, as this exchange occurs, the tree records history in each ring in its wood.

As you pass an urban tree in Glasgow, or where ever you are, maybe pause for a breathing space and share a few breaths.

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Dear Green Space

The name Glasgow is thought to derive from the Brythonic Celtic “Cleschi” meaning “Dear Green Place”. Despite it's industrial heritage it is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with many parks and other green spaces. If we extend beyond the city, to the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, there is access to some of the best natural landscapes we can all enjoy.

What happens when we stop the endless labelling, comparisons and judgments of compulsive, analytical thinking? What happens when we set our intention to be fully present, to tune our senses to our ‘felt self’ while in nature? Can this facilitate the world around us becoming more fascinating and alive to our senses?

Now that Covid restrictions are starting to ease, we have posted some links to resources below to support you exploring nature outside.

Where ever you are try setting your intention to be fully present, be curious, expand your senses and explore your interconnectedness with your living environment.

Free Greenspace Resources

In 2011, Greenspace Scotland published the world's first national greenspace map. Working with Ordnance Survey (OS) this has been updated and extended so that it now covers greenspace in Scotland, England and Wales.

You can use this free interactive digital map to find accessible recreational and leisure greenspace anywhere in the UK – parks, public gardens, playing fields, sports areas, play spaces, allotments and community gardens.

Other walking/cycling resources:

Walk It - the urban walking route planner.  Get a route map between any two points, including your journey time and carbon saving. Free, healthy and green!

Cycling Scotland - Cycling Scotland is the national cycle promotion organisation for Scotland.  Their aim is to establish cycling as an acceptable, attractive and practical lifestyle option

Glasgow City Council walking/heritage trails - walking and heritage routes in Glasgow are a great way to explore Glasgow and some of the fantastic murals the city centre has to offer. Check out the maps!

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Have you noticed the dawn chorus in spring?
 
The dawn chorus is a magical reminder that the natural world lives its life all around us, every day, whether we listen or not, even in urban areas. With the restrictions due to COVID connection with the natural world has felt important to many of us.  If you have ever risen to listen to a dawn chorus, have you noticed how the sound washed over you from all directions? 
 
In spring the dawn chorus is strong, particularly at the beginning of May. Every year, the first Sunday of May is International Dawn Chorus Day, people from around the world rise early to experience it. often there are local events supporting people to engage with this around this time. If you are able to rise early and experience the dawn chorus we would encourage you to do this, even just once, maybe just opening your window and allowing it to be part of  a mindful walking, or sitting practice. 
We know how hard it can be to leave the warmth of your bed at such an early hour, so we have placed some recordings of a dawn chorus in full flow, and  an evening chorus which is a little quieter,  in the led practices section of this app. Also available on our Youtube channel:

Early morning walk in a local park in May (60 minutes)

Afternoon walk along a treelined pathway (16 minutes 40 seconds)

Evening walk in May in a Glasgow park (59 minutes 46 seconds) 

Evening walk in May in a Glasgow park (42 minutes 17 seconds)

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'The only way we can make the most of our lives is to make the most of our moments.' 

Cleo Wade

When you are next outside, pause,  look closely at any trees and plants you pass, can you see the new growth and buds, notice how this changes over the next few days and weeks?

The spring equinox in the Northern hemisphere is when the earth tilts on its axis towards the sun and the days become longer than the nights, the winds warmer, and plants begin sprouting. There can be a sense of new beginnings and hope – something many of us are grateful for at the current time. Here is a link to a beautiful 6-minute video, ‘A Grateful Day’ by Br. David, which despite being recorded 14 years ago, celebrates a timeless message. We hope it supports and inspires your mindfulness practice in whatever form that takes.

 

Updated 23/07/2024 (review date due in 6 months)