A MIND FULL OF TREES

ABOUT A MIND FULL OF TREES 

Welcome to A Mind Full of Trees.
I'm Jo. I'm a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) and I'm training as a mindfulness teacher with Breathworks. I'm a Peer Support Worker for a local independent charity and I'm a counselling student. I have lived experience of mental health difficulties and regularly spend time in nature to support my mental health. I started A Mind Full of Trees to support our local community to access different forms of nature connection including forest bathing in a way that is as physically and emotionally accessible as possible. Lots of research points to nature connection in some form supporting mental wellbeing, and the more connected we are to nature the more likely we are to nurture, protect and cherish it. A Mind Full of Trees is about using the practices of mindfulness and nature connection to support our mental health and to provide opportunities for connection with one another too whilst looking after our green spaces. A Mind Full of Trees is a community initiative with the purpose of inviting everyone to experience nature connection in some way. I offer nature connection sessions to community groups in Stockport. Feel free to get in touch if your group is interested. 

What is Forest Bathing?
SHINRIN-YOKU (森林浴) The Japanese practice of 'bathing' our senses in nature to enhance wellbeing. The translation is 'forest bathing'. The therapeutic method of Shinrin-yoku originated in Japan in the 1980s. The development of Shinrin-yoku was part of a campaign to protect the forests. The belief was that time spent in nature would not only support people's wellbeing but also encourage them to cherish the forests that they visited. (Source: Into the Forest by Dr Qing Li.) Nature and Forest Therapy is the name the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy gives to Forest Bathing and the practice is very similar to Shinrin-yoku. The Forest is the 'therapist' and the Guide 'opens the doors'.