Course resources

Lesson 1: Slowing down

Zen Habits: 10 Essential Rules for Slowing Down and Enjoying Life More

Lesson 2: Breath

Rebecca Denis’ And Breathe book

The Breathing Room

Max Strom TED talk: Breathe to Heal

Headspace mini breathe meditation

Suzie Poyser: Psychotherapist & Breathworker

Lesson 3: Create a Haven

Essence & Alchemy – handcrafted and sustainable aromatherapy reed diffusers and candles

Insight Timer blog post: 3 Ways To Make Your Home Your Sanctuary

Lesson 4: Body Awareness

Evelyn Stavrinidis, yoga and meditation teacher

Sophie Cleere Yoga Nidra recording

Andy Puddicombe TED Talk: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes

Jon Kabat-Zinn: Guided mindfulness meditation

Lesson 5: Smell

The Marginalian article: The science of smell – how the most direct of our senses works

Guardian article: Wake up and smell the flavour

Lesson 6: Taste

Raisin meditation

Lesson 7: Silence

Erling Kagge’s Silence in the Age of Noise book

Headspace app

Calm app

Insight Timer app

Silence in the age of noise blog post

The Marginalian article: The Sound of Silence article

Nick Seaver TED talk: The Gift of Silence

Lifehack research article: Science Says Silence Is Much More Important To Our Brains Than We Think

Lesson 8: Beauty in Nature

Moments of Sense and Style Instagram account

Harvard University article: Beauty in Nature

Louie Schwartzberg TED talk: Nature. Beauty. Gratitude

Richard Feynman’s Ode to a Flower

Lesson 9: Water

Wallace J. Nichols’ Blue Mind book

Outdoor Swimming Society, UK

Wild Swimming, UK

Wild Swimming book

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols TEDx talk: Exploring our Blue Mind

Waterlog – short film

Wild and Well article: The mental health benefits of wild swimming

Sarah Kennedy Norquoy’s Salt On My Skin book

Lesson 10: Texture and Pattern

PATTERNITY: Inspiring Positive Living through the Infinite Wisdom and Beauty of Pattern

David Attenborough’s introduction to the Kingdom of Plants

BBC Two video: 5 Simple Ways: Nature Can Help Your Mood

Dr Ali Foxon’s free ‘How to Doodle’ guides

Lesson 11: Growth

Tobacco Brown’s TED talk: What gardening taught me about life

Article: What nature can teach us about personal growth

Forest bathing guide

Lesson 12: Birds

University of Exeter study: Watching birds near your home is good for your mental health

Claire Thompson’s The Art of Mindful Birdwatching book

Claire Thompson’s website – Nature writer and workshop facilitator

Claire Thompson’s Sit Spot exercise

Gnowangerup Cottage’s bird photography

Creative Countryside blog post: A Sky Full of Birds

Blog Post: Birdsong and Balance

Birdwatching with comedian and wildlife enthusiast Bill Bailey: Green and Pleasant Land

Bird sounds identification app

Dawn Chorus project

Lesson 13: Light

Happiful magazine article: What is komorebi?

Komorebi: a short film

Salina Fisher’s musical interpretation of the effect of komorebi; sunlight filtering through the trees

Lucy Auge’s artwork

Lesson 14: The Changing Seasons

The Slow Living Guide’s interview with Maddy Lawson on living in tune with the seasons

Video showing what happens to different landscapes through the four seasons