The Forest Bathing Institute announces launch of Forest Bathing+ nature-based wellness sessions in partnership with Forestry England
TFBI are delighted to announce its selection as Forestry England’s preferred forest bathing supplier. The initial agreement covers the south of England. These exciting new events launch on June 11th 2022 at Alice Holt Forest, Farnham, sessions are also scheduled every other week across the summer and autumn.
You can book your Forest Bathing+ nature session here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/forest-bathing-mindfulness-in-nature-at-alice-holt-forest-2hrs-tickets-336012140357
THE FOREST BATHING INSTITUTE is delighted to launch Forest Bathing+ nature based wellness sessions in forests cared for by Forestry England across the south of England.
Forest Bathing+ sessions will begin in June 2022 at Forestry England Alice Holt in Hampshire. Situated just four miles south of Farnham, Alice Holt Forest offers a variety of wellbeing activities for individuals and families to enjoy, along with over eight miles of waymarked trails through the forest that covers an impressive 2,100 acres.
Forest Bathing, also known as ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ is a mindful walk in woodland, under the canopy of the trees. In Japan and South Korea, it is a well-known public health intervention and is used for preventative healthcare, as well as to aid high blood pressure, anxiety and stress.
It has seen an increase in popularity across the UK, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, which saw a significant amount of people spending more time in nature and appreciating how beneficial it is to their health and wellbeing.
Forest Bathing+ is a comprehensive therapeutic form of forest bathing developed in co-operation with numerous universities across the UK, professors, doctors’, and scientists. At its core is the incorporation of mindfulness, so Forest Bathing+ engages with all five senses, in a structured manner, to enhance the experience and to bring about a mindful state.
The Forest Bathing+ nature sessions at Alice Holt Forest will last for two hours. Ground breaking research conducted in partnership with The Forest Bathing Institute and the University of Derby in 2019, evidenced that with just two hours of Forest Bathing+, 88% of participants reported an average 29% reduction in anxiety.
Gary Evans, Director of The Forest Bathing Institute, said, ‘We are thrilled to be working with Forestry England to deliver Forest Bathing+ nature sessions. There have been countless studies, particularly from Japan, that reveal how valuable time in nature can be. The majority of people who join our sessions are surprised at how much better they feel after only a short time with us in the forest. We designed our sessions to be accessible and approachable for a UK audience. Feel free to join us; you might be pleasantly surprised.’
Forestry England’s Wellbeing Projects Manager, Ellen Devine said; ‘Our nation’s forests are fantastic for boosting our mental and physical health. Spending time in woodlands is estimated to save the UK a staggering £185 million1 a year in mental health costs. We’re delighted to be working with The Forest Bathing Institute to provide forest bathing sessions to help people experience these benefits for themselves.’
EDITORS NOTES
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 296 million visits per year. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests.
- increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests.
- plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands.
For more information visit forestryengland.uk Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.
The Forest Bathing Institute
Professor Qing Li appointed as The Forest Bathing Institute’s Scientific Adviser in September 2021. Professor Li is the world-renowned forest medicine expert, and one of the founding figures behind the science of Shinrin-Yoku or Forest Bathing.
In Spring 2020 TFBI were thrilled to announce that Dame Judi Dench is now a Patron of the TFBI. Full information is available on the website: https://tfb.institute/blog/
TFBI have developed a unique form of forest bathing called Forest Bathing+ (FB+) which is now being widely adopted across England. FB+ is a more comprehensive therapeutic form of forest bathing developed in cooperation with numerous universities, professors, doctors, and scientists.
During 2019, ground breaking UK pilot scientific studies and research took place with the TFBI at the University of Derby, measuring the health benefits of FB+. The research revealed improvements across 12 areas of well-being. Alongside psychometric testing, heart rate monitors (HRV) were worn by participants to measure changes in the nervous systems relaxation response. The initial analysis of the HRV data highlighted increased activity in the parasympathetic nervous system.
TFBI are committed to advancing and promoting the health benefits of forest bathing.
Since its inception, Gary Evans, peer-reviewed author and researcher of forest bathing, has fostered close working relationships with countless organisations and governmental bodies. These organisations include the NHS, local and borough councils, landowners, social prescribing and mental health charities, and universities. The TFBI are currently in touch with circa 30 universities and has numerous exciting studies currently running. The aim is to replicate and expand upon the prior Japanese research in the UK.
Full information relating to the training offered by TFBI is available on the website.
For further information and Media Relations please contact:
Gary Evans – Director, TFBI
T: 01932 880 712
Philippa Bassett, TFBI PR & Communications Manager
M: 07767 684 745