A to Z of Mindfulness M is for Mending

Tips for how to be mindful in nature, in turn improving physical and mental wellbeing

A busy Christmas season takes its toll on house, garden and everything within; socks snag on splintered floorboards, buttons pop atop expanding bellies, doorknobs come loose and the shed hinges snap. A new year signals a time to refresh; a time to mend. One winter’s morning, make a hot coffee, grab a needle and thread and find the sunniest spot in your house. Start with a simple fix: that missing button. Thread the needle, tie a knot in the line, then fasten the button. Focus on the back-and-forth motion of the needle, acknowledging the cold of the metal on your fingertips and the sound of the drawing thread. By the time you’ve finished your repair, you’ll feel a blissful sense of achievement and calm – along with a warmer midriff for the cold months to come.