Audio Guide to Find Mindful Moments at the Western General

Thanks to the amazing work of our RSPB Nature Connections project, you can now go on a self-guided nature walk in the grounds of the Western General Hospital.

Just 5-minutes spent immersed in nature can lift your mood, clear your mind, and give you more energy. Mindfulness, the practice of paying attention to the present moment, can help us find connection to nature as it allows us to take a step back from racing thoughts and notice all of the sensory experiences in greenspaces. Each season offers different colours, smells, and sounds which when tuned into, can help us feel present and connected to the natural world.

It can feel difficult to find these mindful moments around a hospital, but hospital gardens offer the perfect oasis to take a moment for yourself and an escape from the stresses of hospital life. Research has shown that spending time in hospital gardens can reduce mental fatigue and stress, and improve overall mood.

We have created a 5-minute audio-guided mindful walk around Amanda’s Garden at the Western General Hospital to help staff, patients, and visitors to the hospital find those moments of mindfulness in nature. All you need is your phone, some headphones, and 5-minutes in the garden. This is designed to be listened to throughout the seasons and taken at any pace. Although it guides you to walk around the garden, the mindful activities can also be done sitting down. It will give you some ideas of how to take notice of different sensory elements, tune into your breathing, and find relaxation while in the garden.