[x123]

Maybe this idea will help somebody else. I was feeling weird this morning so I left work and parked my car in a McDonald's parking lot trying to decide if I wanted to buy something. Just sitting there staring I began to notice details in the plants around me and bird noises, and that helped me feel better.

I've noticed the benefits of sitting and observing nature before, but it's hard to remember this trick when I am feeling depressed. I tend to stumble onto it by accident. (I think this is similar to meditation, but I am not able to meditate in the typical ways.)

[AspenGirl]

I've done that, too! I have a spot in my backyard where I've planted flowers and whenever I need to get away from it all, I go there and sit still. I think sitting still concentrating on nature is meditation.

[Creative1onder]

It helps me too to be around, close to wildlife and in nice calming natural/green areas. Sounds like you were doing a bit of mindfulness outdoors. I like to be near water, by seaside or river and also in parks. I have a nice backgarden as well where I live with a pond and I see plenty of birds, bees, sometimes dragonflies and butterflies and rabbits come to visit too (saw 4 all together at once yesterday).

[IrisBloom]

I have a bird feeder in the front yard, and it really does calm me to sit and watch the antics of the birds and squirrels. I have 2 pairs of cardinals, 2 pairs of doves, dozens of sparrows and wrens, the occasional blackbird or chickadee. I've learned a lot about their habits and personalities.

[TheOriginalMe]

There is lots of beautiful countryside near my town, I love to get in the car and drive out into the hills. Even just sitting in a park in the city where I work can help. I like to grow flowers in my yard and I have a small patch of overgrown garden that I need to work on. Fresh air and nature are good therapies.