In Part 1 I wrote about the meaning of mandalas and their purpose in meditating and letting go of attachment. In Part 2 I cover how drawing, coloring and meditating on mandalas can all help to reduce stress and anxiety. Designing your own mandalas can be both inspirational and therapeutic. I give examples of how to start.

Mandalas have historically been used as an object to focus one’s attention for example, while meditating. The use of mandala facilitates mindfulness, and the process of focusing on one thing because of its symmetrical shape, so we can direct our attention to the center of the mandala. 

Walking has many physical health benefits and can also have an impact on our mental health including elevated energy levels and reducing anxiety and depression. When we walk mindfully, we can further reduce stress and tension further by being truly present, getting in a flow state and leave our stressors behind. Have you ever thought of the phrase “Stop and smell the roses?” Nature is a common source of joy and simple acts taking in the beauty and scent of a rose may play an even larger role in our overall happiness than we know.

Nature walks have so many benefits, but urban walks have their own advantages. Street and public art are becoming more prevalent. Do you know where to find some near you? Focusing on public or street art allow us to capture that sense of wonder we have when traveling. Be a tourist in your own city!

Walking has physical and mental health benefits. Adding mindfulness, like focusing on something like tree bark, to walks increases the benefits to include calming anxiety.

Just a 30 minute walk (think lunch hour!) can make a big difference in your mental health! Think about how much more aware you are of your surroundings when you’re somewhere new. Why is that? When we are tourists we are truly in the present moment because we are taking in everything that is happening around us. But day to day, we become desensitized to our surroundings and don’t really notice what is right in front of us. What if we tapped into that sense of wonder as we walk? This is the first in a multi part series into the benefits of mindful walking. Each part will encourage you to focus on a different element to focus on. Today we’re going to focus on grounding, and make this walk a multi sensory experience!