What is forest bathing?

Forest bathing is all about slowing down and using the senses to immerse yourself in the woodland environment – no actual ‘bathing’ involved so you won’t need your cossie. It’s about allowing the natural environment to ease us into being present in the here and now. As an activity focused on awareness, it shares a lot with mindfulness practices but with its own unique approach rooted in the natural world. 

The history and science of forest bathing

The practice originated in Japan – but it’s no ancient mystical tradition. In fact, the term – shinrin-yoku in Japanese – was coined by director of forestry Akiyama Tomohide in the 1980s. He wanted to attract more visitors to forests and realised that an economic boom of the time was causing urban workers to get stressed out and exhausted. Encouraging relaxation activities in the forests seemed like a win-win situation. 

Since then, numerous studies have looked at the potential benefits and discovered that they certainly do include a lowering of stress levels along with a raft of other positive effects on the immune system, heart health, mental health and much more. 

Among the ways it helps our health are the molecules – phytoncides – given off by trees that can boost the immune system. Being in woodlands has also been found to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone, and help to regulate the nervous system. It can boost our cognitive function and our mood.

Humans evolved over millions of years as hunter gatherers, adapted to life in the forest rather than life in the urbanised environments we’ve created in just the last 0.1% of our existence as a species. It’s in our DNA to feel good surrounded by greenery in woodland environments.

What to expect in my forest bathing sessions

The coronavirus lockdown of 2020 gave me a chance to think about what I was doing in life. And I realised that my mission is to help more people connect to nature in the ways that mean so much to me. I’ve used my background as a forest school leader, my training as a counsellor and my own experiences in mindfulness and meditation to create an accessible, relaxing and nurturing set of invitations to clients.

My sessions combine simple mindfulness practices and movements with a slow walk focused on tuning into the senses in different ways. There’ll be some gentle, non-prescriptive creativity and they usually finish with tea and biccies and a chance to reflect on our experiences.

After a quick introduction about forest bathing and space for members of a group to share what brings them into the woods, I like to guide you through a short mindfulness practice – often a body scan – to help us settle into the session and transition from our busy lives into a calmer space.

I may then invite you to move into some gentle movements based on a chi kung sequence. I talk you through it all at a manageable pace and demonstrate each movement. Or we may move our bodies in a different way – growing from a tightly packed acorn to a majestic oak tree, perhaps.

After that a typical session will move on to a slow walk through the forest focusing on using all our senses to really take notice of everything around us. We’ll look up at the sky through the canopy, listen to the birds and the breeze, feel the textures of different trees and leaves – and even give some of them a good sniff. 

Then it’s time for you to find a sit spot and take some time for yourself. If you’re a meditator, you may choose to practise now. If you prefer, you can stick with your senses and see what you notice when you sit in quiet stillness for a moment.

I’ll often then invite you to a creative response to your deepening connection with the woods, perhaps arranging natural materials, writing, sketching or other mark making. Sometimes I’ll share a poem or two during the session that feel appropriate to the site, the season or our mood.

And, most importantly, we finish up with a cuppa and a biscuit and a chance to reflect on what we’ve experienced. There’s nettle tea for those who want to take the experience to the next level, but it’s not compulsory – I make sure there’s good old PG Tips and coffee available too. 

How can I try it out?

I have a seasonal programme of events available to book through Eventbrite. Some are Forest Bathing and some are a Forest School for Grown-Ups offering, as well as the occasional nature writing date. Forest bathing may also form part of longer retreat days. I run events at Frodsham Woods; Spud Wood near Lymm; and Norton Priory’s Coach House in Runcorn. All of these are in Cheshire.

I also run bespoke forest bathing sessions for individuals, small groups and organisations. These can be at Frodsham Woods, Spud Wood near Lymm or Runcorn Hill.

To find out about upcoming events and book, check out my Eventbrite organiser page or to discuss a bespoke session email me at janinecounsellor@gmail.com or fill in the inquiry form here.