Mindfulness 8

We hope you are all keeping well. Here are some mindful activities to try this week.

1.Sky Study

Put a blanket down on the grass and spend some time staring at the clouds. What shapes do you see? Animals? People?

Spend at least 10-15 minutes studying the sky — and notice how the clouds gently move along. Notice how the cloud that first looked like a pig now looks like a cat. This is a great way to introduce the idea that our minds are kind of like the sky — thoughts float through on their own, and they change on their own. We can watch our thoughts in our minds like we watch the clouds!

2. Noticing Walk

Go for a walk in your neighbourhood and try to notice 10 things you’ve never really paid attention to before — perhaps the colour of the neighbour’s door or the flowers along the way or what vehicles you can see. You could also try to listen for new sounds, too. Why do you think you’ve never noticed them!

3. Slow - Fast - Slow

With mindfulness, we practice slowing down, so we don’t feel so rushed all the time. The next time you’re at the playground, try playing “Slow-Fast-Slow.” Whatever you’re doing — playing in the sand, running through tunnels — try to do it slow, then fast, and then slow again.

Talk about what it felt like to do something slowly. Did it feel different? Did you notice something you hadn’t before when you were playing fast? Did you like moving more slowly, or do you like to be quick?

4. Colouring

When we colour, we focus our attention on a single activity, and that can feel really pleasant. This is probably why so many adults are colouring now! Take some time to colour in a picture. Enjoy the calm that can arise from single-minded concentration.

You could print some pictures if you have access to a printer https://www.twinkl.ie/resource/t-c-1551-mindfulness-colouring-sheets-bumper-pack , or find a picture to colour in one of your schoolbooks.