Forest therapy, or shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), is a research-backed, nature-based practice originating in Japan (1980s) designed to improve mental and physical health by immersing oneself in a woodland environment.
The session includes gentle invitations, group reflection and circle time by the fire.
Slow down and switch off from the outside world for a couple of hours.
Through invitations we work with your senses and grounding you, to help you clear your mind and reconnect with nature, and maybe yourself, without pressure or expectation or you may just enjoy some time in the great outdoors.
We use the whole site through the year, rotating around with the seasons, harnessing the benefits of the green and the blue.
There is only a small amount of wandering involved, please let us know of any mobility limitations and we will do our best to accommodate these.
Sessions last 2 hours with time for reflection if you wish, there is group time with tea/hot chocolate and cake at the end.
No experience necesary and you can come as regulaly as you wish.
Benefits are available to all, with our sessions aimed at Adults, sorry no under 16's in general group sessions.
Please inform us when booking about any mobility issues so we can adapt locations accordingly.
Forest Bathing is research-backed and has found significant findings of lowered stress (cortisol) levels, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced immune system function. improved sleep, and better mood.
Lucy will be running the forest bathing sessions. She is a qualified Forest bathing practitioner and is one of the co owners of Lakeside Escape. Lucy practicies forest bathing on a daily basis and it has helped shape what Lakeside Escape is becoming.
"How I describe forest bathing is slowing down, switching off from the outside world and really noticing nature and all its beauty. With no expectations, responsibilities, or demands. Some time just for yourself and to clear your head.
Although I spend alot of my day outdoors in nature I feel a distinct difference and huge benefits from mindfully doing invitations and properly forest bathing, in this beautiful site."
We fully support good mental health in all that we do, and work in a trauma informed way.
However, please note this is not a therapy setting and your practitioners are not trained for counselling/psychotherapy. Within forest therapy, the forest or natural setting is deemed the "therapist".