Today, I woke up feeling disconnected—as though I were observing life from the outside looking in.
For many people, this sense of disconnection can lead to feelings of loneliness or separation from others, even from those we know care deeply about us. I am no less connected today than I was yesterday, or than I will be tomorrow, but today my inner critic made itself known. On days like this, I know I need to be especially mindful and kinder to myself. I need to reconnect.
One of my favourite ways to do this is through forest bathing. There is something profoundly restorative about spending time in woodland—breathing in oxygen-rich air and being immersed in nature’s sounds, scents, and sights.
Like the trees and wildlife that inhabit the forest, we have an extraordinary natural resilience, and time spent in the woods is a powerful reminder of this. Consider deciduous trees: they lie dormant through winter before bursting back into life in spring and summer. Their roots are deep and strong, and beneath the surface they are connected through an underground network often referred to as the mycelium network, or the “wood wide web.” It is no surprise that mindfulness teachers frequently use trees as a metaphor for strength, resilience, and connection.
So, if—like me—you are feeling a little disconnected and in need of reconnection, consider putting down your device and stepping into the wood wide web for a different kind of browsing. Imagine your body as the trunk of a tree, grounded and supported by a vast network of roots beneath your feet. Climb an old oak or sit beneath it with a book. Take a run through the forest, hug a tree, enjoy a picnic (for us, this sometimes means just a water bottle and a bag of crisps), or get creative by sketching something that catches your eye. You might simply wander aimlessly, listening to the sounds around you and noticing how, with every breath, you feel more connected to the world.
Whatever you choose to do, allow yourself to enjoy being in the woods and embrace this well-deserved moment of forest bathing.
Here is a small snapshot from our woodland adventure today.