Beauty realm

Ecotherapy is a variety of practices that you can do to tap into the healing powers of mother nature, improving your psychical and mental health while doing something fun and engaging.

Forest Bathing

One of the most common and popular ecotherapy practices in the world today! originating in Japan and also known as shrinrin-yoku. Read my beginners guide here to find out more about this practice.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

This therapy can involve spending time with animals, feeding animals or grooming them or simply interacting with animals such as horses, dogs etc. This is the perfect pick me up for animal lovers.

Nature Arts & Crafts

This is a creative form of ecotherapy which consists in taking part in arts and crafts in an outdoor setting. You can also use tools from nature to create your artwork, such as leaves, wood etc. You can paint or write whilst amongst nature. This allows emotional release and creative expression.

Green Exercise

Doing psychical activity outdoors such as cycling, hiking, yoga, or running etc. Studies show this promotes wellbeing and improve mood.

Adventure Therapy

Build your resilience and confidence with adventure therapy, plan and take part in a fun outdoor activity such as rock climbing, rafting or travelling to a new country!

Wilderness Therapy

Trained therapists can take on wilderness therapy which can be activities such as camping, hiking. Learn survival and social skills and build up your mental strength.

Known in Japanese as shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is a practice of walking in nature ( forests ) and taking in the energy and atmosphere through all your five senses. Its not about exercising in the forest its more of a slow practice of being present and listening to the sounds around you, noticing the smells and the feel of the wind on your skin. Connect to mother nature!

History of forest bathing

The term shrinrin-yoku was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 1982, there was a need in post war Japan for people to slow down as the rapid urbanisation and work loads were making citizens ill. By the 1990s, designated Shinrin Yoku Trails were established across Japan to facilitate this practice for citizens as the government studies on forest bathing gave promising results. The studies indicated that immersion in forest settings could significantly reduce stress levels, enhance mood, and boost immune function so that’s pretty cool right ?

What to do while forest bathing

Sit and reflect : Find a beautiful spot to sit down and reflect for 10 minuets or so, this can be on a bench or on the ground, you could take part in a bit of grounding if you take off your shoes on the grass or sit down on the grass.

Deep breathing : Take advantage of the clean air surrounding you and take deeper breaths while walking slow.

Pay attention : Get lost in the sounds of nature, the birds tweeting ? The branches in the wind. the colours of the flowers around you. Take a look at the beauty of nature. Take it all in.

Studies on forest bathing

Studies have shown that forest bathing helps to lower cortisol ( the stress hormone ) and improve mood/mental function.

Have you ever heard of Nature Deficit Disorder ? , a term popularized by Richard Louv that describes the negative consequences associated with no or reduced contact with natural environments. Studies indicate that this disconnection can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and other health issues etc.

How to forest bath

Find local parks/forests on google that are local

Try to organise a forest bathing session once per week, try to stay for at least an hour or two. Don’t rush your experience.

Ask friends or family to come with you and enjoy

Create your own forest bathing group r find one on social media to join

Bring a backpack with supplies, such as water, notepad and pen. try to keep off your phone as much as possible