Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Mindfulness-in-nature-on-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Sound bowl" class="wp-image-86493" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Mindfulness-in-nature-on-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Mindfulness-in-nature-on-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Mindfulness-in-nature-on-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Mindfulness-in-nature-on-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Mindfulness-in-nature-on-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Mindfulness-in-nature-on-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: vickicouchman1</figcaption></figure>



<p>Let&#8217;s be honest – most of us are about as good at mindfulness as we are at ignoring our WhatsApp notifications. We&nbsp;<em>know</em> slowing down is good for us, but between work, family, and endless life admin, finding an hour to meditate can feel about as realistic as a weekly spa day. Thankfully, mindfulness doesn&#8217;t have to mean sitting cross-legged chanting &#8216;om&#8217;. According to Tasha Bassingthwaighte from Devon&#8217;s <a href="https://www.sharphamtrust.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sharpham Trust</a>, it&#8217;s the tiny moments that really count – whether that&#8217;s actually tasting your morning cuppa, swapping a doom scroll for three deep breaths, or taking a minute to admire the view on the school run. Here are five easy ways to sneak a little more calm into your day (without adding another thing to your to-do list).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/web_pic_1200_wide_sunrise_at_sharpham_july_22_by_retreatant_madeline_2-image1200x900-crop-autorotate.jpg" alt="Sharpham view" class="wp-image-86450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/web_pic_1200_wide_sunrise_at_sharpham_july_22_by_retreatant_madeline_2-image1200x900-crop-autorotate.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/web_pic_1200_wide_sunrise_at_sharpham_july_22_by_retreatant_madeline_2-image1200x900-crop-autorotate-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/web_pic_1200_wide_sunrise_at_sharpham_july_22_by_retreatant_madeline_2-image1200x900-crop-autorotate-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/web_pic_1200_wide_sunrise_at_sharpham_july_22_by_retreatant_madeline_2-image1200x900-crop-autorotate-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-micro-moments-of-nature-mindfulness"><strong>1. Micro-Moments of nature mindfulness</strong></h2>



<p>Giving yourself 60 seconds of calm can shift your nervous system. Next time you’re outside, pause and tune into something natural: the sky’s colour, the texture of a leaf, the breeze over your skin. These mini-rituals remind us that nature is available to us everywhere, and can act as a refuge of grounding and coming back to ourselves.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1648" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/cuppa1.jpg" alt="Cup of tea" class="wp-image-87385" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/cuppa1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/cuppa1-728x800.jpg 728w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/cuppa1-910x1000.jpg 910w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/cuppa1-768x844.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/cuppa1-1398x1536.jpg 1398w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-integrate-mindfulness-into-what-you-are-already-doing"><strong>2. Integrate mindfulness into what you are already doing</strong></h2>



<p>Turn your commute into a practice rather than a chore. Zone in (instead of out) with your cuppa, noticing the steam coming off the cup, the warmth as you drink it. Each time you have a moment between two things, instead of doom-scrolling or mentally jumping ahead to your to-do list, bring attention to your breath, the sensations in your body or the ambient soundscape around you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-family-friendly-two-minute-arrivals"><strong>3. Family-friendly ‘two-minute arrivals’</strong></h2>



<p>For parents racing between nursery drop-offs and meetings, a full meditation session may feel impossible. Instead, try a two-minute arrival wherever you land: the car seat, the kitchen, the office chair. Feel your body, take three slow breaths, and name what’s present: tiredness, tension, warmth, relief. This builds emotional regulation in short, effective bursts.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Meditation-in-Sharpham-House.jpg" alt="Sharpham meditation circle " class="wp-image-86461" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Meditation-in-Sharpham-House.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Meditation-in-Sharpham-House-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Meditation-in-Sharpham-House-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/06/Meditation-in-Sharpham-House-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-community-based-moments"><strong>4. Community-based moments</strong></h2>



<p>If carving out an hour in your week is possible, meditation with others is a great way to support your mindfulness practice. If you can’t attend a session in person and you’re looking for more flexibility there are great <a href="https://www.sharphamtrust.org/mindfulness-retreats/details/weekly-sharpham-online-meditation-group" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online options</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/01/Meditation-outdoors-on-a-Coach-House-nature-mindfulness-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-02.jpg" alt="Sharpham Trust Devon" class="wp-image-84190" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/01/Meditation-outdoors-on-a-Coach-House-nature-mindfulness-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-02.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/01/Meditation-outdoors-on-a-Coach-House-nature-mindfulness-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-02-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/01/Meditation-outdoors-on-a-Coach-House-nature-mindfulness-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-02-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/01/Meditation-outdoors-on-a-Coach-House-nature-mindfulness-retreat-at-The-Sharpham-Trust-02-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: ©vickicouchman</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-consider-joining-a-retreat"><strong>5. Consider joining a retreat</strong></h2>



<p>Joining a nature-based mindfulness retreat can be a golden opportunity to focus on meditation and mindfulness, a deep dive that can not only help you retreat from the busyness of daily life, but also strengthen the ‘mindfulness muscle’ that you can easily weave into your life post-retreat.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/IMG_4765.jpeg" alt="Mindful meadow Sharpham " class="wp-image-87392" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/IMG_4765.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/IMG_4765-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/IMG_4765-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/IMG_4765-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>With any change we are wanting to make in our lives or our minds, we need to be careful to not push ourselves too hard or fast, making mindfulness another thing on our to-do list or yet another thing we can fail at. Start with what feels manageable, and remember to be kind to yourself. Just as in meditation, our minds wander and we gently and lovingly bring our attention back, so too with a mindfulness practice. If you have a break in your practice, don’t throw in the towel. If you haven’t practised for a while, know that you can return to it at any moment. Meditation and nature are so forgiving – they’ll welcome you back any time. Sharpham’s offer a number of <a href="https://www.sharphamtrust.org/mindfulness-retreats" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature-based retreats </a>which might be just the tonic you need. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="834" height="803" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/Emma-AT-Sharpham-834x10001-1.jpg" alt="Emma at Sharpham" class="wp-image-87388" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/Emma-AT-Sharpham-834x10001-1.jpg 834w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/Emma-AT-Sharpham-834x10001-1-800x770.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2026/07/Emma-AT-Sharpham-834x10001-1-768x739.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 834px) 100vw, 834px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy taking things a step further? I recently spent a few days on a mindfulness retreat at the Sharpham Trust in Devon, where I swapped a busy schedule for birdsong, woodland walks and a much-needed reset. Read my <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/review-mindfulness-for-beginners-retreat-sharpham-house/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honest review</a> to find out what it&#8217;s really like – and whether a retreat could be just the tonic if you&#8217;re feeling frazzled.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.sharphamtrust.org/mindfulness-retreats/details/mindfulness-for-beginners-3-night-sharpham-house-retreat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>Mindfulness for Beginners Retreat</em></strong></a><em><strong>,The Sharpham Trust, Sharpham House, Ashprington, Totnes, Devon, UK TQ9 7UT</strong></em>.&nbsp;<strong>Email <a href="mailto:bookings@sharphamtrust.org">bookings@sharphamtrust.org</a>&nbsp;Tel: 01803 732542</strong></p>


Feeling frazzled? A mindfulness expert from the Sharpham Trust shares her top tips

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