Trees company

A gentle breeze on the skin, warm sun dazzling the senses, beautiful foliage and clean air all around: forest bathing is becoming an increasingly popular way to wash away the blues of modern life, writes Arlene Harris

Shirley Gleeson: ‘Forest bathing is where mindfulness meets nature’ Maura Hickey

The term ‘forest bathing’ conjures up images of a claw-footed bath sitting proudly in a clearing in the middle of dense woodland – an activity, perhaps, for the most eccentric of people. The reality, however, is far less wacky. It refers instead to bathing the senses in the beauty and tranquillity of a forest.

The practice originated in Japan and is quickly becoming a trend as more and more people realise the benefits ...