No wonder it can feel like a refreshing act of rebellion when given permission to free our feet from their shoed surroundings. Even 15 minutes of barefoot walking and purposeful attunement to touch sensation in the feet brings an energy of enlivenment, a spring in the step, of people who do it. An elderly English woman on a recent forest therapy walk raved about the barefoot activity - ‘it was evocative of my childhood’ she commented afterwards, her eyes glowing. 

Would you believe me if I told you that just being surrounded by trees in the bush or a forest is good for your health? If you do nothing else but breathe the air in such places, you’ll get a boost to your immune system that can last up to 30 days. Amazing!

It feels like one must partake in social media these days, and it can be an effective way to reach your audience. But promoting nature connection practices daily on social media impacted me personally by reducing my own nature connectedness. My ability to just simply be with nature and enjoy it rapidly decreased as I spent far more time on my phone.

Knowing and using some of these Woiwurrung words as I wander slowly on country and greet what’s around me has put a warm smile on my face. Even though some words feel a bit foreign and clunky coming from my mouth, they still feel more ‘true’ than the English name I’ve always used. There’s this sense of rightness when used. I know the more I use them the more natural they’ll feel. 

You may have heard about Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy. Are they the same thing? Why the different names? In short - yes, they are the same thing. They both stem from the Japanese public health practice ‘Shinrinyoku’ where people are guided through a 2-3 hour walk in a forest and given activities to help to aid relaxation and connect them to their senses. So why the different names in English?

Why do so many meditation traditions have the breath as a core practice? Because it works. As long as we’re alive, we have a breath. It’s always here, it’s always happening in the present moment and when we remember to notice it, it’s easy to find. Here are my 3 favourite breathing practices for relaxation in daily life.

I didn’t quite get it when I was 15, but I think I do now. Offering the forest the first cup of tea, leaving the best mud crab for the ancestors - these are rituals. They force us to think beyond ourselves. To be aware of what other humans and non-humans provide for us and be grateful. To be less self absorbed and more respectful of all that has gone on before us, and all that supports us.

So you’ve started your Nature Journal adventure - hurray! Before long, you’ll probably want to know more about the animals and plants that you are journaling about. But with so many of them, where to start? Here we reveal our favourite apps and field guides, which will help you identify the flora and fauna around you.

I took a pact to spend time in nature every day for a month. Here's what happened and how it helped me survive lockdown.

At 'Its’ Naturally You', we believe in giving back to nature, which gives so much to us. That's why we'll be planting 300 she-oak trees to provide food and habitat for the vulnerable South-Eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo.

We’ve found keeping a nature journal to be a fresh and fun way to engage with the natural world. It’s also quickly improved our observational skills, curiosity and sense of wonder for the world around us. Here’s 6 ways that the nature journal process has added zest to my (Emma’s) life. We hope it does the same for you.

Like most of us I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle but I do have my moments of weakness. Devouring

Does the physical environment around us influence how we feel and experience the world? The ‘Supportive Environment Theory’ would say

Stop and see the entire view I have worked as a scientist in ecology and environmental evidence-based research for over

As a species we have always asked questions about what it is to be human – our ethics, morals, values,