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Nature Journaling is a nature-based activity that can be done anywhere, from locations as varied as national parks to your own garden, courtyard or living room with a window view. As long as you are around nature - the sky, plants, animals - you can journal about it.
It’s an activity that is enriching to do and share with others, but also highly rewarding to do alone in one’s own time, whenever suitable. The techniques we use intentionally exercise different parts of the brain. While this makes the activity fun and engaging, it also helps to keep the brain active and sharp and can improve memory.
When we journal about the flowers, plants, insects, birds, clouds and other natural wonders in a particular place, we quickly develop strong bonds and a sense of belonging to that place. Feeling that we belong and are connected to place is vital for our wellbeing and sense of purpose.
Nature journals are a beautiful record of a person’s life. While the journal content is framed around prompts in nature (like a bird's nest we’ve spotted in the garden) - our response to that is personal and unique. What we choose to journal about, how we do that and what memories the prompt evokes - all of these are shaped by each individual and their life experiences and interests. This makes nature journals special to share with family and friends.
Inspired by the Japanese Public Health Practice ‘Shinrin-yoku’ (also known as ‘Forest Bathing’), Forest Therapy is an evidence-based approach where the restorative power of nature is harnessed to heal many ailments of modern life. Along with reported feelings of peacefulness and relaxation, research shows that Forest Therapy can improve sleep quality, boost the immune system, and reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels.
As we mindfully wander through bushland or local greenspaces, our guides offer different ways for participants to reconnect with their senses and immerse themselves in the present through the beautiful sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes in nature. Simple practices offered on the walk can be later used by participants in their own time and if practised regularly, can help strengthen a sense of connection to place.
Forest Therapy is particularly well suited to groups with accessibility requirements, given its slow pace and sensory practices that can be done in any natural environment.
