Create an outdoor retreat

Give your garden a sense of serenity and transform it into a place for deep reflection, meditation and simple living

our outdoor space can help you to live more mindfully in two ways. Firstly, it can provide a place where you can relax and focus your mind. Treat yourself to a comfortable garden chair or lounger or, if space is limited, a large floor cushion will work just as well. Take a little bit of time every day (we’ll let you off if it’s raining!) to sit outside quietly, simply listening to the sounds around you, or focusing your attention on one specific plant, flower, bird or insect.

Secondly, your garden can also provide an opportunity for you to live more simply, enjoying rewarding tasks and connecting with the natural world. Start to view your garden as a place where you can enjoy a deeper relationship with nature. From

Ygrowing your own fruit and veg to keeping chickens for fresh eggs, nothing beats the flavour of freshly grown home produce and you don’t need acres of space to get started. You can grow strawberries in a basket, or potatoes in a deep patio pot – even if you just have some potted herbs on a windowsill or balcony, you’ll get a sense of satisfaction from harvesting your food.

Sit in silence

Mindfulness is all about focusing on the moment. You don’t necessarily have to try and clear your mind – just concentrate entirely on the present. If it helps to focus your attention, you could consider placing an inspiring object in your outdoor space, such as a beautiful potted plant, a statue or sculpture, or a water feature.