Family Moodboosters: A Moment in Nature

Hi, I’m Rhys and it’s time to take a moment to recharge.

Are you ready to help calm our minds down with whoever is at home with you?

Make sure you've got some room.

Imagine we're walking through a forest.

Can you walk on the spot with me?

Now we’re going to need a little bit of imagination and our powers of concentration, so listen carefully as you are walking.

Sometimes our minds can seem really busy, with lots of different thoughts and feelings.

When we focus on the moment we are in, it can stop our minds from wandering and help our thoughts to become quieter.

We’re going to use all five of our senses, so we’ll start with our sense of touch.

Slow your walking right down.

Bring your attention to your feet.

Focus on each foot as it touches the forest floor.

Is the ground soft or hard?

Can you feel twigs snapping, or leaves crunching underfoot?

Imagine what that would feel like.

Okay, next we’re going to use our sense of sight.

What can you see?

I can see a huge tall tree.

Can you stretch up like a tree?

What else can you see?

Oh! I’ve spotted a squirrel, running across the forest floor looking for food.

Can you see it too?

Now let's use our sense of hearing.

There's dappled sunlight gently spilling in through the tree branches and you can feel the warmth of the sun on your face.

Have a listen!

It's so peaceful.

What can you hear?

Focus on the sound that's nearest to you.

Now try and listen for the sound that's furthest away.

I can hear the sound of birds in the trees and the leaves rustling in the wind.

When we pay close attention to something it can help us to really be in the moment and it stops our minds from worrying or feeling sad about other things.

Next, we're going to use our sense of smell.

Remember the tree?

Well it's a pine tree, so take a deep breath in through your nose.

Imagine you can smell the pine needles.

It smells just like a Christmas tree!

Finally, we're going to focus on our sense of taste.

Take your backpack off and unpack your picnic.

Wow, look at all the food!

There are sandwiches, crisps, fruit and cake.

Let's take our favourite piece of fruit.

Mine is a bright red, sweet strawberry.

Hold it in your mouth and try to imagine the taste.

Mmmm!

Well done, everyone.

Now it's time to turn your home back into what it was before we turned it into our forest.

Well done for taking the time to recharge with me today.

I feel more focussed and ready to deal with anything.

Say it with me: "I am focussed!"

Ready? "I am focussed."

See you soon!