For fast acting relief, try slowing down
- Lily Tomlin

Suggested Invitation for Day 2

Breathing and Slowing Down

Today, whilst you are at your Sit Spot, start by taking a few moments to relax and briefly focus on your breathing. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and feel yourself relax. Notice how what you are sitting on feels. Is it hard or soft? Take a long, deep breath in through your nose, and then breathe out through your mouth. Notice the quiet moment between the in-breath and the out-breath, the pause. Repeat this cycle of breathing 6 to 8 times, focusing on the pause between each inhalation and exhalation. ‘Finding the Pause’ can help to clear your mind, calm your autonomic nervous system and help you connect with how you’re feeling now, in the present moment.

Next, try practicing your Sit Spot Sensory Inventory for 5 to 10 minutes and then simply sit and ‘just be’ for as long as you wish. Slowing down in this way can be difficult at first as we are often more used to being busy all the time, but we really see things from a different perspective when we truly slow down. Give yourself the gift of time and allow yourself permission to be fully present*, in your Sit Spot.

*In mindfulness practices, to be ‘fully present’ is to be aware of where you are and what you’re doing, but not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you, just enjoying the moment.

If sitting quietly in nature sounds a little boring to you, just give it a try and you’ll probably find that things you never noticed before beginning to catch your attention. When you sit quietly, you might be surprised at what you notice around you, but also about the wildlife that reveals itself to you when pose no threat.