Today is World Mental Health Day, and mental health is a big topic in today’s uncertain and divisive times. Recently there have been many articles about the benefits of mindfulness and of spending time in nature for positive mental health and there is an increasing recognition of an odd sounding practice called ‘Forest Bathing’.
Forest Bathing has its roots in something called Shinrin-yoku and was developed in Japan in the 1980s to deal with the chronic stress and illness in that country. Now there are Forest Bathing walks taking place across the UK, and for over a year around Cardiff and The Vale as well.
I run Forest Bathing walks monthly in Fforest Fawr near Tongwynlais and also in Cwm George and Casehill Woods near Dinas Powys as well as at Between The Trees Festival near Bridgend once a year. In 2020 I’m hoping to offer walks in other locations around Cardiff and The Vale.
My walks were recently featured in The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/sep/25/woods-forests-activities-autumn-colours-wildlife-walks) but I am unaware of any features in local media on Forest Bathing or Natural Mindfulness. I am not a writer myself, therefore I would like to invite one of your writers to attend one of my upcoming walks free of charge with the hope that they might write something about their own experience.
I look forward to hearing from you if you might be interested.
Be well,
Tommy Carr
