'Forest bathing' returns to West Berkshire woodland

A therapeutic organisation will soon be offering special 'forest bathing' sessions in local woods.

These sessions - hosted by Adore Your Outdoors - encourage participants to immerse themselves in nature, to put aside all technology and soak in the atmosphere.

Nature therapy - shinrin-yoku - is a Japanese import, and Great Pen Wood in the North Wessex Downs was among the locations being used by Adore Your Outdoors until lockdown restrictions were first imposed.

In the interim, organiser Sonya Dibbin has hosted a number of virtual groups, substituting the forest for people's back gardens.

Now, physical sessions are set to resume, with social distancing restrictions observed throughout.

The relaunch coincides with Mental Health Awareness week, which runs through to May 16.

Mrs Dibbin hopes the sessions will foster positivity and mental wellbeing in participants.

She said: "In forest bathing, there are no baths involved, so you can most certainly keep your clothes on!

"We've all suffered from the most recent lockdown, being stuck inside within the same four walls during the dark winter months.

"We probably all benefited from a lunchtime stroll, a weekend walk, or simply getting outside in the garden but nature connection takes it a step further.

"It is proven to result in sustained increases in health and happiness, a more pro-environmental behaviour and is just waiting to be discovered."

Adore Your Outdoors will be holding a free forest bathing walk in the Newbury area on May 12.

Those wishing to take part should email Mrs Dibbin at sonya@adoreyouroutdoors.co.uk to learn more and book.

Spaces will be limited.