The term Forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku was first coined in Japan in the 1980s by the director of Forestry to attract people back to the many beautiful forests of Japan after a massive movement of people from the countryside to the cities. With the escalation of stress related diseases in cities, scientists in Japan and around the world became interested in why people felt better after spending time in nature. As time has passed and technology advanced, a growing body of research has become available, illuminating what we have intuitively known – we thrive in a natural environment. Which is no surprise when you consider that in the 7 million years since our species started evolving into the humans we are today we have spent more than 99.99% of this time living in a natural environment. Our bodies are part of nature, the same elements that make up a tree, also create us. To find out more about this please visit my resources and inspiration page
Anyone can forest bathe by taking gentle, mindful time in sensory immersion in any natural setting, -the more bio diverse the environment the richer the biochemical rewards. The practice is accessible to everyone and easy to incorporate in your day to day life. You can practice forest bathing with your house plants.
Why come on a guided walk?
These days with our modern screen centered, fast paced lifestyles not everyone can stop their “monkey mind” from jumping about and come into their body and stay present.
On a guided walk...
Being in a held space, on a one to one or group wander, you can really let go of the cognitive mind and become fully present in the moment. This gives rise to the opportunity for deeper connection to the more than human world and a rediscovery of your innate wisdom through your senses.
Forest Therapy offers a held experience with someone to take care of the time and direction of the trail so you can be fully present with your senses. A guide offers site specific sensory invitations to help you build relationships with the beings of that place. Where this may differ from a guided forest bathe, the guide also holds space for the sharing of the experience with other people on the walk. This sharing may not necessarily be verbal, for example, it can be a gesture or a simple sound. This circle of sharing is simple yet powerful in the opportunity it presents for reciprocity and cultural repair. A space to honour each other and all beings as valued individuals. A space to promote love, kindness and innate wisdom. A space for healing to begin.
The benefits of coming on a guided walk.
- Increased happiness – connected to your heart
- pleasure in life, feeling alive.
- improved relationships with all beings
- a sense of belonging.
- confidence in your inner knowing – intuition.
- re discovering a way of being that supports you to be you.
- time for self reflection and a safe space to share your story.
The scientifically proven health benefits of Forest Bathing & Forest Therapy include:
- Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body’s Natural Killer (NK) cells.
- Stabilises blood pressure
- Reduced stress
- Improved mood
- Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
- Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
- Increased energy level
- Improved sleep
- trauma release
These sessions also support the 5 ways to mental well-being advocated by our NHS.
Give something back
Relate to other people
Exercise your body
Appreciate your world
Try something new
I am a certified guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. Both my Wanders for wellbeing and Creative Journeys incorporate the standard sequence taught by the ANFT.
This standard sequence has an evidence-based framework, established by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), for supporting and promoting wellness and the health of ourselves, each other and the more-than-human world through guided immersive walks in forests and other natural environments.
The approach has it’s roots in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), ecotherapy and the Way of Council.
“ANFT was founded in a response to global warming and environmental catastrophe…. The aim was, from the beginning, to ignite and re-ignite love for the more-than-human world…”
Amos Clifford, Founder of ANFT
To find out more, book a walk with me.
The best way to learn about this practice is to experience it.
See my what’s on page for up coming public walks and events
Or join me virtually on a web wander
