I can guide you through a woodland, the local park or any green space and offer prompts to encourage you to engage with what is in and around you, but I am not the therapist. In the work of forest bathing nature has that job. Many of you will have experienced wonderous things in nature: a starry sky, the full moon on a cloudless night, the delightful scent of a rose, the beauty of a flower, the delicacy of a spiders web or a sunrise. These encounters with the natural world have an effect on the mood in an efforeless way. They bring joy, wonder, awe and much more. Forest bathing enables you to extract more from what you might normally overlook in the rush and busyness of your day. The time you spend in natural spaces can have a surprising benefit emotionally, physically and mentally. Some supports and prompts to start the exploration are helpful as is trusting the support of nature around you.
The outcome of a guided walk is different for each person because each participant is unique and every walk is a new investigation into what is present on any particular day. No two walks are the same. The weather is unpredictable, the group is made up of people on a wide spectrum of life experience. There is always an element of surprise.
You can read on to see some of the potential value to your participation.
On a guided walk the distance covered is not far, usually around a kilometer.. As the pace is slow this can take two hours and sometimes more depending on the venue, terrain, the group and purpose of the walk. The chosen places are usually fairly flat and there is no level of fitness required. There are times spent with the group and at other times you will be encouraged to explore alone with specific invitations to support you. You will never be far away from the group. A respectful silence is suggested so that everyone can focus on their own experience. There is also time given to hearing short sentences from others about how they have related to what is on offer.
If you have mobility problems please let me know before you sign up for a particular walk and I can advise you about the terrain.
The feeling of well-being we get from spending time in a woodland is not imaginary. The trees are like medication for us.
Over the last 40 years a body of scientific research has built up demonstrating that being in a natural environment improves cardiovascular and immune function, increases NK (natural killer) cells and reduces stress and anxiety levels among other positive outcomes.
The precise cause and effect relationship is not quite clear but there are many theories that it is a combination of the natural phytoncides and monoterpines that the trees omit as a protection and to attract pollinators; the microbes and fungi in the soil and simply opening up the experience of slowing down and being outdoors in a particular and conscious way. All these contribute to the positive effect that plants, trees and the natural environment have on human well-being.
The medicine for the trees from the trees can be ours too. The antimicrobal chemicals released by trees and the many particles from phytoncides to essential oils can all be of benefit.
The most common benefits to be gained from forest bathing /ecotherapy/ nature connection are:
*Lowered stress levels (reduced cortisol activity).
*Greater parasympathatic nervoussystem activity (rest and digest rather than fight and flight).
*Decreased levels of anxiety, tension, anger, hostility and fatigue.
*Improvement in low mood and depression.
*Reduced blood pressure and increased heart rate variability (HRV).
*Positive social contact and engagement with others in a very unobtrusive way.
Have you ever really investigated a tree, any tree? What does it look like? Explore the different textures- hard, soft, prickly, rough, smooth. How many lives does this tree support? How does the water from the roots actually get to the top branches and leaves? What is it's smell? What is growing on the treee?
Stand, sit or lie where you feel comfortable and balanced and look up. Explore whatever is taller than you. Be curious aobut the spaces, colours, shade, light, movement, clouds, birds, trees and creatures. What is life like up high? Standing under a tall tree breathing, you feel small and maybe lighter with the pressures of life dissipating.
Walk slowly in a palce where there are trees or greenery. Pay attention to movement, your own movements and all that is in motion around you. Allow movement to be the focus of your attention and interest. At first you might be aware of the stress of going slowly when the usual pace is fast, always leaning into the next moment. Each time you notice that you have sped up, stop. Stand still and pause. Relax your body and wait. Breathe.Then start again observing whatever is stirring around you: the trees swaying, leaves fluttering, grass bending in the wind, spider's webs floating on the breeze, birds soaring. Take interest in nature's pace and also your own habitual urgency to move fast.
Next walks
Sunday 12th May near Lismore. Start time: 11.00 and finish at 13.45. Refreshments provided. Please call or email for bookings. Places limited.
csutton@lismore.info or 087 2913030
Saturday 8th June near Lismore.
Start time: 11.00 and finish at 13.45. Refreshments provided. Please call or email for bookings. Places limited.
csutton@lismore.info or 087 2913030
