Forest Therapy
Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which means ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’. It involves immersing yourself in a natural environment, awakening your senses and reconnecting with yourself and your natural surroundings.
It has grown in popularity across the world in different formats as a holistic antidote to the stresses of everyday life. A life where we spend most of our time indoors, attached to screens, with a constant flow of news, updates and stimuli. We rarely take the time to slow down away from man-made demands and distractions, which can mean we’re living in a heightened state of stress most of the time.
Forest therapy is a research-based framework that supports our physical, social and mental wellbeing, and we continue to understand more about the science behind the positive healing impacts of connecting with nature.
Benefits
We have experienced the natural world for centuries having evolved within nature, so it’s unsurprising that we feel better when we spend time in natural environments. There are many benefits to connecting with nature regularly and these often correlate with mental health outcomes showing that:
- contact with nature reduces anger, fatigue, anxiety, and sadness; and increases feelings of energy
- people undertaking exercise in green places report improved self-esteem and mood
- greater access to green space is associated with less depression
- contact with nature reduces rumination, a major factor in the development of anxiety and depression
Furthermore, connection with nature also has been found to:
- Assist with alleviating symptoms of stress by helping to regulate our nervous systems
- As well as lowering the concentrations of stress hormones found in our bodies and reducing pulse rate and blood pressure.
Research also suggests that spending up to two hours a week in nature is good for our health and wellbeing but it’s not just exposure time that matters when it comes to our overall wellbeing. Recent findings report that nature connectedness, that is simply noticing nature around us is even more important than time outside.
It is often, however, the qualitative case studies that offer a deeper understanding of what can occur when experiencing forest bathing. Every experience is individual. The guide is there to open the door to the experience but nature is there to offer you what you need in that moment.
Ways to experience Forest Therapy
I offer nature connection experiences within the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside in public and private estates and woodlands.
I also run exclusive retreats and experiences in locations across the UK as well as blending some of these techniques within my professional coaching sessions in city park locations, offering executives a moment of presence during very stress-filled days.
Experiences occur throughout the seasons and can be created for any occasion or need. Please get in touch so we can explore and create something unique for your needs and truly magical.
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Private:
Forest therapy sessions to escape the demands of everyday life. Carve out time and space to focus on your needs or for a special occasion.
Gift a wellness celebration for a group of friends, siblings, or partner with a unique ‘couple walks’ to connect and experience each other in a whole new way.
Whatever you need come and talk to me as the forest and its healing qualities await you -
Public:
Forest Friday events run regularly throughout the seasons. Experience the freedom of sensory, individual exploration within nature with the opportunity to share the experience with others. We meet as strangers and leave as friends -
Corporate Wellbeing:
Reinvigorate, refresh and restore your employees by creating an experience part of your wellbeing strategy to help promote mental fitness and resilience, reduce stress, and boost productivity, while cementing and developing team relations.
This is a perfect team bonding experience, or wellness break using green space around your office or at an off-site location and can be used as a staff incentive or gift.
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Gift Cards:
Gift a unique gift experience for someone special. Purchasing a gift voucher from the shop allows you to offer someone you know an experience they will not forget. Make sure you check out the shop for more information.
Science and reciprocity has always been important to me, and this is what drove me to create a Six Week Nature Connection for Wellbeing Programme which can be delivered across business sectors, be it in supporting social prescribing initiatives with the community, to offering a corporate wellbeing strategy for cutting edge companies putting their staff wellbeing front and centre.
This programme has been successfully delivered and has demonstrated lasting improvement in the participants’ wellbeing status as well as a large social value return on investment. If you would like to learn more about this award- nominated wellbeing programme, click here.
What to expect
It is important to note that every experience is individual and one of the biggest challenges for many of us is slowing down enough to fully immerse ourselves in nature. That’s why being led by a nature connection guide really helps ease this transition. The guide is there to open the door to the experience, but nature is there to offer you what you need in the moment.
To learn more about the experiences, feel free to browse any of the media articles featured on the Home page or follow my journey to becoming a certified guide within my Blog. There is also a free e-book you can download to learn how to welcome more nature into your life. And in Resources, you can enjoy some micro pause sessions from your home or workplace.
Thank you Sam xx"