Can you actually feel your feet on the ground?

If I asked you to close your eyes right now and feel your feet against the ground, can you feel them?

Not thinking about your feet on the ground but actually feeling them make contact with the ground.

10 years ago when I started practicing mindfulness, I remember my teacher asking this question, and as I closed my eyes I had a thought, 'I'm not sure if I can actually feel my feet on the ground or if I'm picturing my feet on the ground in my mind?'

There's a difference between thinking about an experience and feeling it right here, right now.

Thinking is 'conceptual'

Feeling is 'embodied'.

Back then I was completely disconnected from my body. I lived inside my head. I talked a good talk. I could talk about my feelings very well, but my actual feelings in my body were shut down.

Being conceptual, articulate and talking a good talk will get you very far.

Until......

your body catches up with you, and demands to be heard. For me this resulted in anxiety and panic attacks.

Being mindful, and connecting with your body sounds really blissful and calm. Let me tell you, it isn't all rosy. That's why so many of us struggle to actually do it.

But there are ways to do this gently and slowly, without overwhelming your nervous system.

One of the most natural ways to access this mindful state is by being in nature and connecting to the environment through senses.

If I've gone up into my head and can't feel my feet against the ground, I get my feet on some soil or sand. I stand amongst the trees. I feel the wind. I hear the birds, and then I'm right back in the here and now, with myself again.

This is what we do on our Fresh Air Fridays sessions. We get outside to help us feel good on the inside!

Well, Fresh Ar Fridays now has a programme that you can access wherever you are in the world!

The Feel Good, Work Well programme

This programme gives you the space and support to unplug and create time for the things that matter to you, whilst at the same time giving you the skills to take care of your total well-being.

This month there is a 12 week supported group programme starting, with 12 audio sessions for you to listen to whilst out walking in your own nature patch. Then, each week, you get together online with a group of nature lovers to explore that weeks theme.

I've run this several times with teams in the workplace, and here's some of the things they've said.....

‘I have learnt that you can take time out from a busy day to unwind, and the world won’t end!’

‘It has allowed me to appreciate my own time a little bit more’

‘I am trying to be more conscious of how I feel about things in general, and try to breathe and take a step back when life gets stressful’

‘I have learnt that taking time for myself is not a bad thing, in fact it is vital for my own wellbeing’

‘I feel more positive and able to deal with day-to-day issues better’

‘I’m using the 7/11 breathing to control my anxiety’

‘I have been appreciating the outdoors and the elements!’

‘I’ve learnt to look at the bigger picture and not be so critical of myself’

‘It’s reminded me to slow down, breathe and enjoy the little things.’

‘I generally feel calmer.’

If you want to really feel your feet on the ground and love being in nature click the link here to find out more