If the first few months of the year have left you feeling overconnected, overstimulated and overwhelmed, it's time for a break. But what do you do when there's no time for a weekend away? Meet forest therapy. This Japanese practice, originally known as shinrin-yoku or forest bathing, is taking place right in the city — in the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, to be exact. And it involves more than just a walk through the woods.
During a two-hour session ($30 per person), you'll not only immerse yourself in nature but take part in an array of calming and healing activities. Expect to slow right down, ease your beating heart, lower your blood pressure, reset yourself and generally feel much, much better.
In the longer term, forest therapy can lead to improved physical and mental health. In fact, it's become a regular part of public health in China, Japan, South Korea and across Europe.
The first release of sessions sold out almost immediately, but Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has introduced two more opportunities to give it a whirl at the Melbourne Gardens this autumn — Saturday, March 30 and Thursday, April 4. Accredited forest therapy guides from In My Nature will be running each session. To make a booking, head this way.