Reconnect with nature

Bathe in woodland wellbeing

Immersing yourself in the natural world is a great way to relax, boost your mood and help gain a better perspective on things causing you stress and anxiety.

Nurture your well-being by attending our monthly wellbeing retreats and be guided to experience how nature can soothe the body and relax the mind; quite a restorative experience.

You’ll learn simple wellbeing and mindful exercies you can use at home too and, if you really feel the benefit you might consider joining a course of mindfulness sessions we run at the woodland.

Making some ‘me time’, in a tranquil ancient woodland setting, surrounded by fields,  is a  a great way to benefit your wellbeing.  There is no public access and the only visitors to the woodland are those who are invited, together with the birds and animals who choose to make it their home.

“Thank you for such a lovely experience. There was something about today that made for pure happiness. The chiffcaff singing. The chatter of fieldfares on their migration. The smell of the wild garlic. The smokey fire. Sunshine unexpectedly. The pale yellow primroses. The company of kind, interested friendly people. Delicious food. What a special day”.  

About the sessions

Inspired by the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) the sessions provide ‘space’ to dedicate some time to benefitting your wellbeing through guided and self-directed activities. An opportunity simply ‘to be’,  with guidance  on how to deepen nature connection through the senses of sight, smell, hearing and touch. The aim of the sessions are to send you home feeling relaxed and at ease with yourself, having developed skills to savour the natural world, which helps soothe the mind.

“I felt so much more mentally relaxed and refreshed after the Forest bathing experience”

(November 2019)

Scientific research has proved that deepening connection with nature can :

• De-stress and replenish energy levels
• Improve mood
• Decrease anxiety
• Reduce blood pressure
• Boost the immune system
• Improve concentration, creativity, and memory
• Increase resilience levels
• Calm emotional states
• Improve sense of life satisfaction

Sessions are led by Susan Collini who has worked as a teacher and trainer for many years and is a Small Woods OCN trainer for Social Forestry, a Practitioner for Mindfulness In The Woods and also a Forest School leader.

Activities are dependent on the weather and season and may include:

• Nature connection meditations
• Forest Bathing
• Barefoot walking
• Art/craftwork using natural materials
• Land art
• Hapa Zome
• Madalas
• Cooking food over a campfire

COVID-19 has meant we can’t provide wellbeing sessions at the woodland. However, there is a way to nurture your wellbeing at home through a TREAT experience.