Episode 48: Forest Bathing with Stefan Batorijs

Forest Bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, is the practice of immersing yourself in nature as therapy. It's the perfect antidote for those who feel disconnected from the land and unattached from nature, which is increasingly likely to happen in a world where 55% of us live in urban areas.  In this episode, I speak to Stefan Batorijs who founded Nature and Therapy UK in 2017, as a response to a growing need to foster a spiritual and psychological connection to the land. If you've always wondered what Forest Bathing, or Shinrin Yoku, entails, this is the episode for you!  About Stefan Stefan has been exploring the wild places for 50 years, and trained originally in Countryside Management, Conservation and Environmental Education. He is a qualified Integrative Psychotherapist and Mountain Leader, with 25 years experience facilitating individuals and groups in natural environments. In 2008 he established the highly acclaimed Ecotherapy Project with Plymouth NHS, for people with severe and enduring mental health needs. Stefan is currently an Associate Lecturer at    Plymouth University. He teaches the role of Nature and benefits of natural immersion for mental health and recovery from trauma on the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Training. Stefan is passionate about trees, birds and Sacred land. Stefan is a member of INFOM, the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine and a member of the Eco-psychology Network. What We Cover: Stefan's personal journey through nature and into Shinrin Yoku  What Shinrin Yoku entails The evidence behind why Shinrin Yoku works An excercise from a typical session of Forest Bathing Links Nature and Therapy UK - check out the Resources page for excellent links to the research surrounding Forest Bathing http://natureandtherapy.co.uk Contact: Stefan Batorijs 3 Barnsey Gardens  Ashburton Devon  TQ13 7GA UK  [email protected]  +44 1364 652162  Nature and Therapy UK on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shinrinyokuUK/  Common Farm Flowers on Twitter: @TheFlowerFarmer https://twitter.com/TheFlowerFarmer Common Farm Flowers on Instagram: @commonfarmflowers https://www.instagram.com/commonfarmflowers/?hl=en   Get in touch: Email [email protected]  Website www.rootsandall.co.uk  Twitter @rootsandall Instagram rootsandallpod   Patreon Link: Help us keep the podcast free & independent! Donate as much or as little as you like at https://www.patreon.com/rootsandall