Exploring Self-Determination Theory, relationships, and mindfulness for mental wellbeing with therapist Paulo Karat.
Relationships matter.” This was the unifying theme from my last post. Since then, I’ve been reflecting on the place of relationships within various models of health. When we practice mindfulness for mental wellbeing, understanding our core human needs helps us see why connection, autonomy, and time outdoors are so vital to our daily health.
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) theorises 3 core innate human needs:
Competence: We need to feel good at what we do.
Autonomy: We need agency over our lives and destiny.
Relationships: We need meaningful connection. Speaking as a therapist, this need is so profound that even dysfunctional relationships can feel better than isolation human beings need to feel connected.
The 5 Facets of Wellbeing (New Economics Foundation):
Connect: With others, relationships, love, and intimacy.
Be Active: Movement, exercise, and time outdoors.
Take Notice: Being mindful, noticing the little things every day.
Keep Learning: Personal growth and development.
Give: Kindness, care, selflessness, and altruism.
Get Outside More
Human beings evolved to be active and outdoors. An indoor, sedentary lifestyle is a very recent sociocultural development, and neither our biology nor psychology has caught up. The mental health benefits of nature are well-documented.
So Why the Photo of the Dogs?
Walking my dogs brings these themes together: they encourage connection (with my partner Amanda and my environment), force me to be active outdoors, ground me in the present moment out of autopilot, foster growth, and allow me to practice unconditional care.
Join Us for Our Next Mindfulness Retreat
These are central themes of our retreats, particularly those with an emphasis on outdoor connection.
More Info & Booking: Visit our Mindfulness Retreats Page to get in touch and reserve your space.
Be well everyone,
Paulo Karat
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