Mindfulness in the mountains

  • Contributor information: CNP

Ann-Louise Maidlow of Ramblers Walking Holidays, shares with us details of their Mindfulness in the Mountains programme.

It’s time to stop, reflect and go Mindfulness in the Mountains and walk in the footsteps of Wordsworth and Coleridge

  • Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Lake District away from the crowds
  • A chance to reconnect and learn new relaxation techniques
  • Buttermere walking trails – as featured in ITV’s Britain’s Top 100 favorite walks

Being busy and stressed can be the norm, particularly in the ongoing situation. It might be difficult but now could be the right time to give yourself a break and connect with the great outdoors.

The beautiful Lake District. Photo: Lake District National Park Authority

I would suggest escaping to the beautiful Lake District for a few days and replenish your diminished energy by giving yourself some time to reflect on life and develop some tried and tested coping strategies.

Our new programme, Mindfulness in the Mountains, can give you the opportunity to do just that, to really live in the moment without distractions or unnecessary concerns. The core activity will be walking in the fabulous restorative countryside around Buttermere, following some classic Buttermere based routes such as Haystacks and Rannerdale knots.

Some of the walking will be in silence with targeted activities to help you to connect with your surroundings and yourself. There will be time set aside for reflection and, if you are interested, resources to help you to familiarise yourself with techniques and theoretical concepts.

If we can, there will also be opportunities to participate in some gentle yoga and short meditations. These activities will be suitable for both beginners and seasoned practitioners, planned as a generic restorative practice. The yoga practice will also pay attention to those areas of the body that support walking activity, ensuring that you can make the most of both the physical and mental activity.

As Jon Kabut-Zinn observed ‘Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally’. Be prepared to reconnect with yourself and discover the beautiful landscapes of the Cumbrian Lake District.

By Ann-Louise Maidlow, Ramblers Walking Holidays

https://www.ramblersholidays.co.uk/europe/united-kingdom/england/mindfulness-in-the-mountains