Why are forests such calming places to be? A growing body of research is showing that spending time around trees and nature, lowers blood pressure, as well as levels of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. It calms the prefrontal brain activity, reducing depression and anxiety and generally improving mood and sense of well being.

Forest immersion therapy anyone?

I've always felt a lift of spirits, and a deep sense of peace, warmth and contentment when walking in a forest or park. I assumed this was something to do with tapping into an early-human primordial need, a leftover from times when humans lived in the forest, and therefore just something we are programmed to crave.
I didn't analise it any further... and in recent years my artwork has been becoming more and more centred around forest scenes, as well as featuring layers of luscious tropical greenery.
Then I was asked by my friend Jessica Tiffin, to be a participant in her psychological research project, investigating the effects of 'forest bathing' (or Shinrin-yoku in Japanese) on sleep problems. She told me that trees release chemicals that reduce anxiety, and she wanted to discover if they have a noticeable effect on sleep problems.

'I am your ideal subject!' I said. I have sleep problems ...AND I just so happened to be planning a trip to the biggest forest on Earth…. Canada!

*Just little old me hanging out with a 1000* year old tree. *a lofty guestimate (exact birth records could not be located.)*

Taking part in her study required committing to 3 weeks of forest bathing, practising for a minimum of 120 minutes a week mindfully immersing yourself in nature.

So I jumped at the chance to take part. But I also decided to expand the experiment for my own personal requirements. Yes my sleep was patchy and light, with a history of night terrors, but I was also interested to see if it could improve other mental health issues, anxiety headaches, panic attacks and generally boost mood and well being.

Living in a busy apartment building in the bustling city of Brighton, UK, my surroundings are predominantly concrete buildings, neighbour noises, delivery cacophony, and car engines! Being hyper sensitive to sound.... this all adds up to overwhelm and results in concentration problems. I was desperately in need of some peaceful time to try to let go of my embedded default state of anxiety and worry (with a dollop of fraught on top).

I undertook Jessica’s test beforehand and again after the 3 weeks to analyse any improvements and changes.

I did my ‘forest bathing’ in 3 stages... staying at rental cabins in woods, each time getting further and deeper into the wilderness with fewer people around!

I spent my time silently walking in the forest, letting the senses override thoughts, looking for patterns in nature, and observing my default setting. I sat quietly, drawing foliage around me, mindfully absorbing my surroundings, letting it all seep in. I filled up a whole sketchbook with scribbles. All of my separate ideas started to link up into one big one, as I had hoped, so that was exciting.

*I added paint dooding in as a meditation observing and painting with no aim*

The 3 key guidelines I was given for my experiment were: silence, going slow, and to try to shift from thinking to focusing on one’s senses. It is not about physical exercise or collecting information. The aim is to quieten the voice in our heads and be filled with a feeling of calm. I really felt the affects of my three weeks of forest bathing!

Find a green space where trees are present (it doesn’t have to be a forest) and that is easy for you to access. It is best done alone and in as peaceful an area as possible, without distractions such as electronic devices. Try to spend an hour or two over the course of a week.

This experience is unique to each person as we all interpret the world differently. No one knows your mind better than you. Look for things in nature that call out to you and fill you with peace.
Focus on the senses to bring your awareness to the present moment. This directs your attention away from unwanted thoughts. When you notice nature more closely it’s easy to fill yourself with awe, wonder, and inspiration.

*Crawling around on the forest floor… & Living my childhood dream of being an extra in ‘Little House on the Prairie’*

Go slow: Don’t hurry or rush. You are going to be walking aimlessly and slowly. By spending more time at a place, you build a deeper relationship with it. You are not going anywhere. You are savoring the sounds, smells and sights of nature and letting the forest in. You will begin to observe more and will start to make new connections.

Be silent: Shift from thinking to sensing, and from sensing to feeling. By staying with our feelings, we can learn to carry the forest within us. Even when we are not in nature, the peace and serenity of the forest can be a part of us and in turn, help us navigate our lives.

Thanks so much to Jessica Tiffin for asking me to take part in her study!

My own conclusion: Forest bathing helped every one of my problems. Sleep was longer and less disrupted/disturbed. Anxiety levels were much lower. And, my general mood was much calmer, more at peace, and less erratic. I need to move to somewhere leafy! In the meantime, I've bought some quality noise cancellation headphones and am vowing to spend as many hours as I can a week, at my local park!

The places I visited were: Fawn Lake, Ruth Lake and ‘Driftwood Village’ on Galliano Island.

Can trees cure stress & anxiety? My ‘Forest Bathing’ Experiment

Art to boost the happy chemicals in your Brain!