Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is a slow time in nature with a series of invitations to facilitate sensory connection to nature which has well evidenced physical and mental health benefits.
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What is forest bathing?
Where is it from?
What are the benefits?
Forest bathing is a slow time in nature with a series of invitations to facilitate sensory connection to nature which has well evidenced physical and mental health benefits.
When we slow down and connect to our senses, our whole body is able to connect with nature. We get out of our prefrontal cortex (thinking) and help the calming part of our body (parasympathetic nervous system) to work.
It doesn’t need to be a forest but trees help. It was designed and researched in Japan where they coined the name Shinrin yoku, forest bathing. It became big in California and now the practice is spreading around the world. And so too are the researchers who evidence the health benefits - these include reduced blood pressure, lower stress and increased speed of recovery from operations and pain. More on this coming soon to this website.
The process of Forest bathing is a series of invitations. We begin with an invitation to start by crossing through a gate or arch. Next the sensory invitations where we connect into our bodies. Then exploratory invitations where we wander around and connect with nature. After each invitation there is an opportunity for reflection together. You don’t need to say anything if you don’t want to.
Parson’s Close Park, Leighton Buzzard
Mondays every fortnight
11am - 1hr
At the community garden end
Next sessions are:
5th Oct - free trial
19th Oct - £15 £7.50 50% off until Nov
2nd Nov - £15
Stockgrove end of Rushmere
Fridays every fortnight
10am - 2hr
Next sessions are:
9th Oct - free trial
23rd Oct - £30 £15 50% off until Nov
6th Nov - £30
Becky, Forest Bathing Guide
For over 20 years, I've facilitated groups of people who work together often in stressful and uncertain circumstances. This work has become increasingly remote in terms of human interaction but also remote from place. I invested in Forest Therapy Practitioner Training so I could work closer to the land, closer with people and with the intention to facilitate people and nature's mutual care.
From this more grounded position, I'll continue to work with people remotely Tuesday to Thursday - whether an AI team in a war zone or a UK government team in a pickle. But Monday and Friday you'll find me with the trees. This isn't just for the benefit of others, my own mental health and physical needs it, and I believe that nature needs us to slow down and all be together to find a way through these unprecedented times.