Exercises to connect with the Sussex countryside

My family & I arrived in Sussex about 4 years, living in the Lewes area close to the South Downs. We immediately fell in love with the land, people & energy of the area & have been getting to know more about it since then.

Its history, showing human activity in the area since the pre-historic period, has shaped its landscape & left important landmarks including Cissbury Ring, old towns, extensive farmland & several castles. This is interspersed with the unique combination of chalk grasslands, river valleys, woodlands & coastline which offer a mosaic of habitats for many animals, flora & fauna. But it doesn’t stop on the land because, as one of only 16 International Dark Sky Reserves International Dark Sky Reserves, the South Downs National Park is one of the best places to stargaze in the UK!   

For me, the history & beauty of the area have a special feel to them, one which allows us to connect our human journey through the years with the unique aspects of the countryside. Indeed, some people believe that there are certain energetic connections of spiritual significance between certain ancient sites & landmarks in Sussex, known as leylines.

I get a strong sense of peace & grounding from living in this area, but I also enjoy spending time walking & sitting in the countryside when I can.

Here are two simple exercises that I do to help my mental health & well-being whilst being outside –

• Mindful Walking – this is a form of meditation which involves paying attention to the present moment whilst walking. You can use your breath as an anchor (like sitting meditation) or focus on the movement of your feet. This practice can help you feel calm & centred, increases your awareness of your thoughts & bodily sensations & helps you connect with the natural world, giving the sense of being part of a bigger whole. If it is safe & sensible to walk barefoot, you can also get the benefit of absorbing the earth’s electrons which can lower inflammation, reduce stress & improve blood flow

• Grounding meditation - sit or stand on the earth & take some deep breaths. Notice where you are & the landscape around you. Begin bringing your attention from the outside to the inside of you, doing a body scan to notice what you’re thinking, how you’re feeling, any particular sensations in your body, being careful to be curious & not judgemental. Imagine some roots growing from your feet into the ground, going down deep into the earth so that you feel connect with many layers of soil & bedrock. You can imagine letting go of anything which you no longer need down into the earth & bringing up any qualities which you would like to embody