Forest Bathing
Immersing yourself in the forest
Forest bathing is a slow and mindful walk in the woods, opening up all your senses and slowing down your mind. It is an immersive experience, noticing the sights, sounds, smell and textures of the forest. It is a way to destress, relax and boost health and wellbeing. Francesca from Roots for the Future is a certified forest bathing guide, having trained with the Forest Bathing Institude and is offering sessions in the beautiful Surrey Hills.
Roots for the Future is keen to show you the multiple benefits of spending dedicated, mindful time amongst trees.
In the coming months we will have a number of different options for people to try forest bathing, from corporate events to funded sessions for people suffering with poor mental and physical health. On these sessions we will take a slow walk through woodland with sensory activities to help you unwind and connect with the natural environment to boost your mental and physical health. There is a focus on slow, deep, mindful breathing throughout, with a guided meditation at the end.
On a two to three hour guided session, you will notice things you have never noticed before. You may notice much more birdsong or the sound of the leaves crunching under your feet. You might spend a happy 10 minutes squelching slowly through wet mud. Have you ever dug a hole in the earth and had a good sniff of the soil? Smell has an evocative power, strongly connected to memories and emotions. The various smells of the forest can be both familiar and new discoveries.
We’re delighted to be able to invite you to some beautiful, private woodlands in the Surrey Hills to forest bathe.
Thanks to the Hampton Estate, we are
able to use a part of their forest close to Puttenham common. This woodland is extremely peaceful and we are likely to have it to ourselves. As well as being in the greenbelt and the local Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Hampton Estate also includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Site of Nature Conservation Interest.
You are invited to join us to experience the many different types of trees, woodland fern, a home to very important and diverse species of flora and fauna onthe morning. We feel truly lucky that Roots for the Future is able to hold our wellbeing sessions there.
Keep an eye out here, and on our ticket tailor page to find out about events here as they come up.
We also use Birtley Woodland, near Bramley, acommunity arts, crafts and wellbeing space for people to come together. which has amazing bluebells in April and year-round natural beauty.
We will be holding a Bluebells afternoon forest bathing session at Birtley Woodland in April.
Apart from it being a beautiful and relaxing experience, the best part is that forest bathing is scientifically proven to make us feel better. Trees emit a chemical compound that when we breathe in, has many health benefits. Research shows that breathing in the compound, Phytoncide, whilst forest bathing, regulates heart rate, blood pressure, boosts immunity and releases happy endorphins. It improves mental wellbeing with participants citing that they had fewer negative thoughts and less rumination during and after sessions.
Coming up!
Forest bathing in Birtley Woodland in the Surrey Hills, celebrating the bluebells, immersing ourselves in this wonderful private woodland for our wellbeing.
Bluebells afternoon forest bathing session at Birtley Woodland
Saturday 25 April
Gathering at 1.15pm for a 1.30 start, ending at 4.30pm
Tickets available here
Birtley Woodland, GU5 0LB
Get in touch to find out more
Winter, spring, summer and autumn, the forest has so much goodness for us to soak up through our senses. We have run sessions in the pouring rain and the blazing sunshine. As long as you are well equipped with the right footwear and clothing, it is an all weather activity.
Contact us to either join the Forest Bathing mailing list, find out about corporate or other tailored events or hear more about funded sessions.
