“When you walk the woods, do so at their pace. Not yours.” – Br Richard
Staff Well-Being Sessions
Woodland Wellbeing Walks
On these walks you are invited into a mindful outdoor experience where we join the natural physical environment and experience mindfulness outdoors in nature as a safe way to be together, to slow down and reconnect with what really matters.
I look forward to spending time together in this particular way as a skilful means of taking care of your wellbeing. For more than a decade I have enjoyed taking mindfulness outdoors as a powerful means of spending time in nature and reconnecting with ourselves, the world around us and remembering what really matters.
As a certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide, I will be inviting you to partake in a specific sequence of guided mindfulness practises that are designed to increase our awareness and connection with each other and the natural world of which we are a part. There will be times of quiet and times of shared mindful listening and sharing. Taking time in the woodlands this way we bathe in the nourishment of the forest atmosphere (aka forest-bathing). Each session includes
- orienting to the story of the physical environment
- moving gently to warm up the body
- breathing and grounding activities
- mindful walking
- nature-based meditations
- share circles with tea and stories of our experiences being in nature
Research Supported
Recent research evidences that being guided in nature with full awareness people report
better
- sleep
- creativity
- well-being and mood
- concentration and focus
- immune function
- heart functions
and less
- mind-wandering
- stress hormones
- anxiety
- blood pressure
while also helping us to increase our sense of purpose, space and perspective.
Let the forest invite you in!
Nature: our ally and antidote
Spending time in nature with mindful awareness can be a powerful ally and antidote to the stresses and strains of living with the demands of our modern world.
We share a modern experience of the overwhelm of uncertainty, facing unfolding global crises of war, climate and migration while still continuing to navigate the unseen physical and emotional impact covid-lockdowns, wise moments in nature can revive, inspire and connect us: to ourselves and the world around us.
We evolved in nature so beneath our fast and busy minds, our bodies know comfort and connection in nature.
Added benefit of mindfulness for health & wellbeing
Receiving guidance in mindfulness brings additional benefits to the positive impact of being in nature. In 2023 the most comprehensive systematic review to date included 832 independent studies and confirmed that mindfulness-based nature activities enhances the health and wellbeing of participants. (Barragan-Jason et al 2023, Biological Conservation, Vol. 277, 109842).
As health and social care providers who are serving others in every moment, it is an ethical imperative that we make time and create supported spaces to receive wellbeing for ourselves. We return resourced to continue to serve patients and clients from a strong, resilient and compassionate space.
These wellbeing walks in the woods with a mindful outdoor guide offer a supported and guided means of reconnecting with each other that further strengthens capacities to lead well in our work together.
What to bring
Most importantly we bring our open minds, warm hearts and spirits of adventure, as we move into connection with the aliveness of our more-than-human world of nature.
Please bring any personal items you need to be comfortable and safe. Most important, with our changeable weather patterns, bring what you need to stay warm and dry, for as long as possible.
If you are unsure, I have created a suggested list of items to bring with you for this session. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
As we will be walking outdoors for 2.5 – 3 hours, walking 2-3km at a slow pace and pausing from time to time, so it is important that we dress appropriately in clothing that protects us and that helps us to stay as warm as possible:
- Dressing with layers (remember it is easier to cool down than to warm up)
- Warm rainproof jacket
- Hat, Gloves & Scarf
- Long-trousers/ Waterproof
- Sturdy shoes/boots that are waterproof and can support you on uneven ground
- Something to sit on ( a sit mat/seat pad for sitting on wet/damp ground)
You might also choose to bring along any personal items that you need for the duration of our time together, in a waterproof daypack. For example:
- Personal medicines / Snacks / Water
- Extra layer / socks
- Hand sanitiser / Sun Protection / Tissues
A note on Devices
If you can at all, we recommend that you allow yourself this time to be device-free. I will have a phone. In the forest, coverage is often variable so nature is mirroring this invitation too!! You will be invited to switch off or put your phone on silent at the start of the walk. There may be a particular reason for needing access to your phone to be comfortable and that is ok too. If you need to take a call or check a message, we ask that you do this discreetly as phone-checking is contagious!
It may also be tempting to use our phones for taking photographs. Again, the advice is to let go of this habit too as it can disconnect us from our present moment experience. Instead trust that you will be taking photos in your heart, mind and body. We may agree to take a photograph to mark the event when we have completed our session.
There may be other items not listed here that you think are important to bring, please feel free to do so and to ask me any questions if you are not sure.
Please click the button below and complete the registration form in advance so that I have the required safety information for our time together.
Registration & Waiver Form Completion
What Clients Have to Say
Nature is home
Dr. Sheena Burke is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Certified MBSR Trainer & Supervisor and Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide. Sheena has over 25 years of experience working in public and private health and education settings including 10 years guiding mindfulness trainings. She specialises in connecting others with everyday mindfulness practices and teachings and encouraging the integration of mindfulness in personally meaningful ways that lead to enriched, confident and fulfilled living.