Many teachers and education staff report an increase in workload since the pandemic. One study by YouGov/TeacherTrack polling also found that 8 out of 10 teachers (82%) currently describe themselves as stressed by their work. If these statistics resonate with your experience, it might be a good time to ask yourself whether connecting with nature can help you manage stress and feel better.

Research consistently demonstrates that immersing oneself consciously in a natural environment using all the senses positively affects human wellbeing and health. This includes reducing stress and anxiety, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and enhancing mood and overall well-being.

Wildwood Wisdom offers a variety of proven methods to help educators become more aligned, attuned, and balanced to face the challenges of teaching in the 21st century. With intentional, guided time in nature, individuals and teams have experienced a sense of rejuvenation, increased energy, and enhanced resilience. Additionally, we offer consulting to explore how nature-connected experiences can be incorporated into a classroom setting and integrated into your educational programs.

What is Nature and Forest Therapy?

Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing.”

In Forest Bathing, people spend time in forested areas to enhance health, wellness, and happiness. In Forest Therapy, people are guided through a clearly defined sequence of invitations to slow down, allow the senses to open, and experience the environment to deepen the reciprocal relationship between participants and the forest. This supports the wholeness and well-being of both.

These gentle walks in the forest are typically one- to two-kilometers long and fit for all ages and physical conditions. Invitations are open-ended. There is no expectation for what participants should experience or receive. Rather, participants spend time in silence, listening and feeling with a quiet and accepting presence. They become reconnected with their senses and their innate creative potential is tapped, which allows the imagination to awaken.