An awareness stroll, or a brief mindful walk, can help you refocus and bring yourself back into
the moment. A good awareness stroll helps take your mind off any possible daily struggles you
may be facing, but studies also show that walking increases your energy levels and boosts your
mood. Safety Note: If you’re heading outside, keep safety in mind. Let someone else know
your plans, carry a phone with you, and avoid unsafe areas.
Step #1: Start by noticing your breathing and any tension in your body before
starting your walk. Access to nature or positive environments has been found
to improve sleep and reduce stress, increase happiness, reduce negative emotions,
promote positive social interactions, and even help generate a sense of meaning to life.
Focusing your mind on the sights, sounds, and smells around you can bring you
back to a calmer state, mentally and physically. What does the sky look like today?
Do you feel a breeze? What can you smell in the air?
Step #2: Look around and start moving. Keep a mental checklist of things to keep
an eye and ear out for while you’re on your stroll. Take a piece of paper and pen
with you and mark off things like animals, stickers on stop signs, butterflies, lady
bugs, trees, flowers, interesting license plates, painted doors, basketball hoops,
business signs, baby carriages, or anything else that you see or hear that interests you.
Step #3: Art exercise: Back in the studio, incorporate as many of the elements you
observed into a work of art. Use paint, collage, markers, pen, or incorporate objects
you pick up. You can also write a poem, or create a story based on your observations.
Try to capture the feelings you had during your stroll. If it helps you to stay in the
moment, bring chalk with you and write positive messages on the sidewalk as you go.
the moment. A good awareness stroll helps take your mind off any possible daily struggles you
may be facing, but studies also show that walking increases your energy levels and boosts your
mood. Safety Note: If you’re heading outside, keep safety in mind. Let someone else know
your plans, carry a phone with you, and avoid unsafe areas.
Step #1: Start by noticing your breathing and any tension in your body before
starting your walk. Access to nature or positive environments has been found
to improve sleep and reduce stress, increase happiness, reduce negative emotions,
promote positive social interactions, and even help generate a sense of meaning to life.
Focusing your mind on the sights, sounds, and smells around you can bring you
back to a calmer state, mentally and physically. What does the sky look like today?
Do you feel a breeze? What can you smell in the air?
Step #2: Look around and start moving. Keep a mental checklist of things to keep
an eye and ear out for while you’re on your stroll. Take a piece of paper and pen
with you and mark off things like animals, stickers on stop signs, butterflies, lady
bugs, trees, flowers, interesting license plates, painted doors, basketball hoops,
business signs, baby carriages, or anything else that you see or hear that interests you.
Step #3: Art exercise: Back in the studio, incorporate as many of the elements you
observed into a work of art. Use paint, collage, markers, pen, or incorporate objects
you pick up. You can also write a poem, or create a story based on your observations.
Try to capture the feelings you had during your stroll. If it helps you to stay in the
moment, bring chalk with you and write positive messages on the sidewalk as you go.
