Forest bathing – the name alone is so intriguing and almost beckons you to find out more.
A quick search online gives this explanation: forest bathing originated in Japan in the 1980s as a way for people to reconnect with nature, especially in a time where society increasingly shifted to technology and big city life.
The idea is to slow down and take in nature through your five senses.
So Irish Country LivIng contacted Luke and Nicoline Walsh, forest bathing guides in Kilternan, Co Wicklow, to take part in a forest bathing walk.
Start of the healing forest
Nicoline is originally from Ghana and moved to Ireland when she was seven years old. Lucky for Luke, she ended up in his neck of the woods.
“She used to live up the road so I used to see her walking home from school and I was fascinated by her. I fell in love from the moment I saw her,” he says.
Luke used to work in construction and Nicoline has done various stints in the tourism industry and worked for companies such as Dell and Microsoft.
It was when their daughter started struggling with some mental health issues, that they looked for an alternative way to help her
Their forest bathing walks were born out of a very personal experience. Nicoline and Luke have three children; two boys and one girl. It was when their daughter started struggling with some mental health issues, that they looked for an alternative way to help her.
Although many people find help through the traditional means of counselling, it was an avenue that wasn’t working for Nicoline and Luke’s daughter.
“That’s why Luke looked into forest bathing, forest therapy and eco therapy,” says Nicoline.
“Fast forward a few years from that moment, and we’re both certified forest bathing guides.”
The 33-acre forest – now the platform for the forest bathing walks and lovingly called The Healing Forest – has been in Luke’s family for nearly 50 years. Luke recalls the time of his daughter’s challenges.
“The forest has been a great healer for me during that time of crisis and high stress,” he says. “Just going out into the forest and spending time there – I’d come back in with clarity, calm and a bit of guidance.”
I took a bath
The idea of forest bathing can seem alien to some people. But as Nicoline says: “This is only an invitation. As with any invitation, you can either reject it or accept it.”
Invitations are the central theme through the walk, as there is no pressure to do an activity if you don’t want to. The walk takes part in different stages, or “rooms”, within the forest. In each room there is an invitation for an activity, with mindfulness being a strong component of forest bathing.
Subconsciously, as we slow down, it is easy to take in the environment through the five senses without having to be told to do so
As we walk slowly through the forest, we take in the surroundings. The sun making its way through the forest roof, shining upon the green. You can hear the wind in the trees, the birdsong. We touch the wet and surprisingly soft moss and we even see deer not so far away from us.
Subconsciously, as we slow down, it is easy to take in the environment through the five senses without having to be told to do so.
During the forest walk, there is a meditation and several other activities where participants are given a prompt – for example, “What do you notice growing?” – and asked to share their thoughts, if they want.
There are loads of moments of silence and we are asked to find a spot in the forest, to observe the surroundings and sit with a tree. Irish Country Living’s favourite part is when we gather in one of the rooms to observe the trees, symbolic of resilience. How they have made it though cold winters, hot summers, external conditions, and yet, they are still here.
But why?
You might be wondering what the benefits of a forest bathing walk are. Have you ever noticed that you feel more relaxed after you have spent time in nature? Luke explains what one of the reasons for that is.
He says: “The trees are constantly emitting a stress-reducing oil called ‘phytoncides’. They’re releasing those oils to help each other because some might be exposed to more weather damage or are under attack from bugs. Trees are under stress as well, it’s not just humans. That’s why they are producing phytoncides. We can benefit from that while we’re in the forest atmosphere.”
The inter-connectedness with nature is integral to forest bathing. Nicoline says: “We facilitate these types of walks in the hope of inspiring people to connect more with nature. We see it on every single one of our walks – when you connect with nature, you connect back in with yourself. It’s a win-win.
While you’re busy admiring the natural beauty of nature, you’re also busy indirectly admiring the natural beauty in yourself
“It’s also the respect for nature, the environment. It gently grows your attention and you’re gently reminded to look after the planet without being told, ‘Look after the planet.’”
Spending time in nature also allows you to connect with yourself. Nicoline says: “While you’re busy admiring the natural beauty of nature, you’re also busy indirectly admiring the natural beauty in yourself. Because nature acts not just as a healer, it acts as a mirror. In that mirror, you see yourself for all that you are and for all that you’re not and it’s OK. Nobody is judging you when you’re in nature and it’s an opportunity to enjoy and just be yourself.”
The elements of a forest bathing walk can be adapted in your own life, long after you leave the forest. Maybe that is the greatest invitation of them all.
You can find out more about The Healing Forest at www.thehealingforest.ie
Read more
Meet The Maker: Ann Marie O’Leary of The Flower Press Company
Do we need to change our attitude when it come to organics?
Forest bathing – the name alone is so intriguing and almost beckons you to find out more.
A quick search online gives this explanation: forest bathing originated in Japan in the 1980s as a way for people to reconnect with nature, especially in a time where society increasingly shifted to technology and big city life.
The idea is to slow down and take in nature through your five senses.
So Irish Country LivIng contacted Luke and Nicoline Walsh, forest bathing guides in Kilternan, Co Wicklow, to take part in a forest bathing walk.
Start of the healing forest
Nicoline is originally from Ghana and moved to Ireland when she was seven years old. Lucky for Luke, she ended up in his neck of the woods.
“She used to live up the road so I used to see her walking home from school and I was fascinated by her. I fell in love from the moment I saw her,” he says.
Luke used to work in construction and Nicoline has done various stints in the tourism industry and worked for companies such as Dell and Microsoft.
It was when their daughter started struggling with some mental health issues, that they looked for an alternative way to help her
Their forest bathing walks were born out of a very personal experience. Nicoline and Luke have three children; two boys and one girl. It was when their daughter started struggling with some mental health issues, that they looked for an alternative way to help her.
Although many people find help through the traditional means of counselling, it was an avenue that wasn’t working for Nicoline and Luke’s daughter.
“That’s why Luke looked into forest bathing, forest therapy and eco therapy,” says Nicoline.
“Fast forward a few years from that moment, and we’re both certified forest bathing guides.”
The 33-acre forest – now the platform for the forest bathing walks and lovingly called The Healing Forest – has been in Luke’s family for nearly 50 years. Luke recalls the time of his daughter’s challenges.
“The forest has been a great healer for me during that time of crisis and high stress,” he says. “Just going out into the forest and spending time there – I’d come back in with clarity, calm and a bit of guidance.”
I took a bath
The idea of forest bathing can seem alien to some people. But as Nicoline says: “This is only an invitation. As with any invitation, you can either reject it or accept it.”
Invitations are the central theme through the walk, as there is no pressure to do an activity if you don’t want to. The walk takes part in different stages, or “rooms”, within the forest. In each room there is an invitation for an activity, with mindfulness being a strong component of forest bathing.
Subconsciously, as we slow down, it is easy to take in the environment through the five senses without having to be told to do so
As we walk slowly through the forest, we take in the surroundings. The sun making its way through the forest roof, shining upon the green. You can hear the wind in the trees, the birdsong. We touch the wet and surprisingly soft moss and we even see deer not so far away from us.
Subconsciously, as we slow down, it is easy to take in the environment through the five senses without having to be told to do so.
During the forest walk, there is a meditation and several other activities where participants are given a prompt – for example, “What do you notice growing?” – and asked to share their thoughts, if they want.
There are loads of moments of silence and we are asked to find a spot in the forest, to observe the surroundings and sit with a tree. Irish Country Living’s favourite part is when we gather in one of the rooms to observe the trees, symbolic of resilience. How they have made it though cold winters, hot summers, external conditions, and yet, they are still here.
But why?
You might be wondering what the benefits of a forest bathing walk are. Have you ever noticed that you feel more relaxed after you have spent time in nature? Luke explains what one of the reasons for that is.
He says: “The trees are constantly emitting a stress-reducing oil called ‘phytoncides’. They’re releasing those oils to help each other because some might be exposed to more weather damage or are under attack from bugs. Trees are under stress as well, it’s not just humans. That’s why they are producing phytoncides. We can benefit from that while we’re in the forest atmosphere.”
The inter-connectedness with nature is integral to forest bathing. Nicoline says: “We facilitate these types of walks in the hope of inspiring people to connect more with nature. We see it on every single one of our walks – when you connect with nature, you connect back in with yourself. It’s a win-win.
While you’re busy admiring the natural beauty of nature, you’re also busy indirectly admiring the natural beauty in yourself
“It’s also the respect for nature, the environment. It gently grows your attention and you’re gently reminded to look after the planet without being told, ‘Look after the planet.’”
Spending time in nature also allows you to connect with yourself. Nicoline says: “While you’re busy admiring the natural beauty of nature, you’re also busy indirectly admiring the natural beauty in yourself. Because nature acts not just as a healer, it acts as a mirror. In that mirror, you see yourself for all that you are and for all that you’re not and it’s OK. Nobody is judging you when you’re in nature and it’s an opportunity to enjoy and just be yourself.”
The elements of a forest bathing walk can be adapted in your own life, long after you leave the forest. Maybe that is the greatest invitation of them all.
You can find out more about The Healing Forest at www.thehealingforest.ie
Read more
Meet The Maker: Ann Marie O’Leary of The Flower Press Company
Do we need to change our attitude when it come to organics?
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