Join Susan Joachim, President of the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA), and Founder of Shinrin-Yoku, Forest Therapy Australasia, on an exclusive Forest Therapy experience in the beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens. Bookings are now open via Eventbrite. What is Forest Therapy? The practice translates literally from Japanese “Shinrin-yoku” as “Forest Bathing” – immersing ourselves […]
In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become all too common. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 42.9% of people aged 16–85 years have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives, with 21.5% experiencing a mental disorder in the past 12 months. Anxiety disorders are the most common, affecting 17.2% […]
In today’s fast-paced world, many of us feel a deep need to reconnect with nature, as it’s essential to our sense of peace, happiness, and even purpose. Yet, as we rush through our busy lives in urban environments, we often find it difficult to carve out time for this connection. For many, sitting still for […]
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s all too easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Yet, by incorporating small, daily self-care habits, we can ensure that we are at our optimum—emotionally, physically, and mentally. These moments of mindfulness are essential for reconnecting with ourselves and finding balance in our hectic […]
I recently introduced the ‘sit spot’ practice to guests on a guided walk. Curious as to what this means, I explained the ancient practice of finding a place of intimate connection with nature – a place where you learn to sit still – alone, often and quietly. As promised in my last blog, here are […]
Nature Therapy Tours in New South Wales
I grew up in Sri Lanka with all the freedom for daily play and discovery outdoors – as I said in a recent interview, there was no such thing as ‘nature deficit disorder’ in my formative years. The ocean was just down the street, where Sunday family picnics were the norm. That love of the […]
The earth seems to be shifting under our feet. Nothing seems certain, and it’s easy to let our anxieties and fears grow. That is, if we focus on human affairs only. Because out there, in nature, the world is going on. Lives are born and lives end. Trees that are already hundreds of years old, […]
I haven’t always managed my stress and more than not ignored the signs that my mind and body were trying to warn me about until I was completely depleted and burnt out. My job at the time was all consuming, I gave 110% to my special needs students and work colleagues. After work and on […]
Fragrance from the Forest Have you ever spent time outside in nature and discovered that the scent of nature brought back a memory? Plant fragrances play a significant, yet often subtle, role in our appreciation of the outdoors. While roots and bark emit some aromas, most fragrance is found in plant flowers and leaves (e.g. […]
Recent Comments