Forest Bathing
Meaford, Ontario
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing is the practice of mindfulness while immersed in nature, and can take the form of sitting or slow walking. The practice focuses on enhancing our sensory awareness to come into deep presence with the natural world.
What are some of the benefits of Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing has been scientifically shown to help with:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Digestion
- Improving immune system function
- Reducing inflammation
- Increasing heart rate variability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nervous system regulation
- Recovery from illness and medical intervention
- Increasing creativity
- Increasing cognitive ability to focus and pay attention
- Increasing problem-solving ability
- Mental fatigue recovery, and restoration from exhaustion
- Increased sense of awe
Some of these effects can even take place within a short time, such as within 30-60 minutes of being immersed in a natural setting.
Interestingly, Forest Bathing sessions enhance most of these benefits significantly more than just a regular walk in the woods or outdoor excursion, due to the mindful and sensory practices.
Green and blue spaces are particularly restorative.
What happens in a session?
Each session is approx. 2-3 hours long, with several invitations offered to connect with nature.
The invitations guide you into a sensory, mindful connection with an aspect of the natural environment.
Some invitations involve walking at a slow pace, or sitting. There is an opportunity to share about your experience after each invitation.
At the end, we have a closing circle with tea, and a voluntary opportunity to share about our experiences.
About Your Guide:
I am a certified guide through ANFT, and am Wildnerness First Aid trained.
With a background in Environmental Studies and Counselling/Social Work, I came to Forest Therapy as part of my well-being practice after surviving a cancer diagnosis.
I am particularly interested in the intersection of wellness and nature therapy.