Incorporating biophilia into your self-care routine

Here are some ways defence & veteran families, including defence spouses and war widows, can incorporate biophilia into their self-care routines:

• Spending Time Outdoors: Make it a habit to spend time in natural settings regularly. This could involve going for walks in parks, hiking trails, or simply sitting in a garden or green space. This practice can be particularly beneficial for defence families who may face unique challenges.
• Bringing Nature Indoors: Incorporate elements of nature into your living and working spaces. This could include adding indoor plants, natural materials like wood or stone, or even nature-inspired artwork. Creating a nature-infused environment can provide a calming effect for defence spouses and war widows managing multiple responsibilities.
• Nature-Based Activities: Engage in activities that allow you to interact with nature directly, such as gardening, birdwatching, or stargazing. These activities can be both relaxing and rejuvenating, offering a therapeutic escape for veteran families.
• Mindful Nature Observation: Practice mindfulness while in nature by paying close attention to your surroundings using your senses. Notice the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the natural environment around you. Try this at the beach while watching each wave roll in. This mindful practice can help defence families stay grounded and present.
• Nature Sounds and Scents: Bring the calming effects of nature indoors by playing recordings of nature sounds or using essential oils with natural scents like lavender or eucalyptus during relaxation exercises. This can help create a serene atmosphere for defence families.
• Digital Detox in Nature: Take breaks from screens and technology by unplugging and spending time in nature. Use this time to recharge and reset away from the distractions of modern life. This practice can be especially beneficial for defence spouses and war widows seeking a break from daily stressors.

Benefits of biophilia for defence families

By incorporating these biophilic practices into your self-care routine, defence families can experience the restorative power of nature to nurture their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Embracing biophilia can lead to lower stress levels, improved memory, heightened creativity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Join a community of like-minded individuals

We would love for you to share your experience of biophilia to inspire others to think about it too. Join our community on our Wellbeing Support for Defence and Veteran Families | Facebook to connect with like-minded individuals, including other defence families, who are also exploring the benefits of biophilia.

Incorporating biophilia into your self-care routine can transform your approach to wellbeing. Defence families, including defence spouses and veterans’ families, can benefit greatly from connecting with nature. Remember, every moment spent in nature is a step towards greater wellbeing.

Share your experiences of biophilia and inspire others by joining our community on our group Wellbeing Support for Defence and Veteran Families | Facebook. Connect with other defence families and continue your journey towards mindful living and enhanced wellbeing.

The post Self-care and biophilia: embrace nature for wellbeing first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

We also invite you to join our community on Our Space | Facebook to connect with like-minded individuals, including other defence families, who are also exploring ways to look after their wellbeing. 

Setting Your Space

Find a quiet, comfortable area where you can focus without distractions. Ensure your workspace is organised, with all your materials easily accessible. This will help you create a conducive environment for mindfulness, especially important for defence families who may face unique challenges.

Begin with Intention

Before you start, take a moment to set an intention for your session. This could be as simple as “I will stay present” or “I will enjoy the process.” Setting an intention helps ground you and provides a focus for your mindfulness practice, which can be particularly beneficial for defence spouses managing multiple responsibilities.

Focus on Your Senses

As you create, pay attention to the sensory details. Notice the texture of the paper, the sound of the pencil, or the feel of the paintbrush in your hand. These sensations help anchor you in the present moment and enhance your mindfulness, offering a therapeutic escape for veterans’ families.

Breathe and Relax

Take deep breaths and relax your body. If you feel tension or frustration, pause, breathe, and gently return to your work. Breathing deeply can help you stay calm and focused, a useful technique for defence families dealing with stress.

Embrace Imperfection

Let go of the need for perfection. Focus on the process rather than the outcome. Allow yourself to explore and make mistakes. Embracing imperfection can lead to more creative and fulfilling experiences, a valuable lesson for defence spouses and veterans’ families.

Reflect on Your Experience

After finishing, take a few minutes to reflect on your experience. How did it feel to create mindfully? What did you notice about your thoughts and emotions? Reflecting on your experience can deepen your mindfulness practice and provide insights into your creative process, fostering a sense of accomplishment for defence families.

By incorporating these tips, defence families can transform their art-making at home into a mindful practice. This not only enhances creativity but also brings peace and presence into their lives. Remember, mindfulness is a journey, and every moment spent being present is a step towards greater wellbeing.

Inspire others by sharing your experience of this mindfulness activity on Our Space | Facebook. Join our community and continue your journey towards mindful living, alongside other defence families.

The post A Mindful Moment: Transform Your Art into a Mindful Practice for Defence Families first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.

Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July

The Families of Veterans Guild invites defence/veterans family members, including war widows, to a special event held at head office in Chatswood across two days on the 12th and 13th of July. This event brings together veteran (defence) families across many generations to collaborate on a piece of art that will be displayed at head office. An intergenerational opportunity to connect over the beauty of making art together.

We know that one of the challenges facing veteran families is the disconnection from extended family and community. So we want to unite  defence families, including war widows, from many generations to connect, share the wisdom and life experiences. While it can feel comfortable to look only for friendships with people who are at the same stages of life as us, expanding out and looking for intergenerational relationships can lead to rewarding, rich friendships where you can give and receive from someone in a completely different life stage.

There is no cost for this event. All art supplies are courtesy of the Families of Veterans Guild.

Event information:

Where: Families of Veterans Guild Head Office (Level 1, 9 Help Street, Chatswood)

When: 12 and 13 July 10am-1pm

Registration is essential. Register here for the day you wish to attend and for the sound healing session. You can register for all 3 or just 1, as you prefer!

For further information please contact us wellbeing@fov.org.au or 02 9267 6577.

Attendees are welcome to join us for as little or as long as they wish. You can drop in for just 10 minutes or for the whole 3 hours each day. Light refreshments will be provided throughout the sessions.

The art project will finish at 12pm on 13 July and attendees are invited to stay for a one-hour sound healing session, also courtesy of the Our Space Program. Click here to find out more about the sound healing session.

The post Defence Families Community Art Day – July first appeared on Families of Veterans Guild.