Peggy, Co-Founder of Mindful Art Club, loves to share how much nature has helped her with anxiety. Recently, she found herself sitting on Dartmoor in South Devon, right next to the River Plym. Surrounded by trees and the sound of flowing water, she reflected on how simply being outdoors makes it so much easier to feel relaxed.

For Peggy, nature has always been a safe place. She explains that it’s not just a feeling, science shows that spending time outside really does reduce stress and calm the body. “It’s good for your anxiety,” she says, “and it makes such a difference just to sit quietly and breathe.”

Peggy also speaks openly about what her own anxiety has felt like in the past. She remembers waking up in the morning and, for a brief moment, feeling okay—until the heavy dread came crashing down. Her body would suddenly be flooded with cortisol and adrenaline, leaving her overwhelmed. “That’s just anxiety doing its thing,” she admits, “but it can really get to you.”

Even so, Peggy’s message is one of encouragement. She wants people to know that things can change, and that healing is possible. “The change is coming,” she says with confidence.

Through Mindful Art Club, Peggy continues to remind others that small, simple steps like stepping outside, sitting under a tree, or listening to a river can help bring calm, connection, and hope.

Mindful Art in Nature

Alongside the natural sense of calm, Peggy encourages practising mindfulness while outside. This might mean noticing the sound of birds, paying attention to the patterns in leaves, or simply feeling the texture of the earth beneath your hands. By slowing down and observing these small details, the mind begins to soften and quieten.

For Peggy, art and creativity naturally flow from these mindful moments. Some people might bring a sketchbook to capture what they see, while others create simple patterns from stones, leaves, or twigs. These activities aren’t about creating a perfect piece of art, they’re about connecting with the present moment. “Art already exists in nature,” Peggy says, “and sometimes all we do is give it a little space to appear.”

Be sure to like and subscribe to our new YouTube channel so you never miss an episode, and get ready to enjoy our fun tips and tools for managing anxiety with mindful art.