Forest Bathing with Woodland Wellbeing

Spending time in nature has become an essential part of how I look after my wellbeing, and one of my favourite ways to do that is by joining Kate’s Woodland Wellbeing at Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire. Each visit feels like pressing pause on everyday life and stepping into a calmer, more spacious way of being.

These sessions attract a lovely mix of like-minded people. We swap tips on grounding, share our own “war stories” of stress and overwhelm, and talk openly about how we each found our way back to peace. There’s something very healing about being in a group that just “gets it” – no pressure, no expectations, just shared experience and gentle support.

What is forest bathing (shinrin‑yoku)?

Research and lived experience both suggest that regular forest bathing can ease stress and overwhelm, support nervous system regulation and help people feel more grounded and calm.

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, began in Japan as a simple but powerful practice of slowing down and immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest, engaging all of your senses. It isn’t about hiking long distances or identifying every plant and bird, but about being present, breathing more deeply, and letting nature do what it does best – calm and rebalance the nervous system. For me, it feels like a gentle reset: my mind softens, my body relaxes, and I come away feeling more grounded and clear.

A gentle amble with Kate at Queen Elizabeth Country Park

Kate leads the sessions at a slow, mindful pace, guiding us through different sections of the forest at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. As we walk, she points out the small details we might otherwise miss: fungus and mushrooms tucked into the undergrowth, delicate plants, shifting light, interesting tree formations, and the changing character of each part of the woodland. You start to notice how alive and varied the forest really is.

The structure of each session varies, which keeps it fresh and intuitive. There might be a short grounding exercise to settle into our bodies and into the land. Sometimes we’re invited to find a tree to sit with for a while, simply resting against the trunk, listening to birdsong, and noticing how the textures underfoot change from one area to another – from soft needles to roots, leaves, or packed earth. It becomes a fully sensory experience rather than just “going for a walk”.

Closing with tea, flapjack and reflection

We usually close by coming back together as a group, sharing a cup of herbal tea and one of Kate’s legendary flapjacks. That simple ritual of sitting together, warming our hands on a mug, and reflecting on the experience gives the whole session a gentle, nourishing completion. I often leave feeling both lighter and more rooted – like I’ve put down some of the weight I was carrying and picked up a bit more inner steadiness instead.

If you feel called to slow down, reconnect with nature and spend time with kind, like‑minded people, you might enjoy joining one of Kate’s sessions. To find out more and book with Kate, visit Woodland Wellbeing.