Nature provides an excellent setting for coaching, offering a serene environment away from the stress of daily life, and a chance to reconnect with our roots and the natural world.
The calming effects of nature are well documented, as a relaxing shield against the stress and sensory overload of the hectic rhythms of urban life, and the burnout of modern business. Nature walking performs wonders for our mental health, especially against depression and anxiety, and is regularly used by many coaching practitioners as inherent part of their programme.
The therapeutic ancient practice of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) originates in Japan, and is simply the idea to mindfully slow walk in silence through the forest environment. All senses should be engaged, focusing on the sounds of birds, the colour of the leaves, the smell of the flowers, the softness of the moss, and every other little detail around us. Forest bathing is even prescribed as actual medicine, often combined with Zen meditation and similar Japanese practices.
Of course any nature walk has the same effects, whether in the wilderness, in the countryside, or even in a city park, provided you keep the Forest Bathing mindset and practices. For us mountain-loving people, hiking provides another great way to engage in mindfulness, as we focus on every step along the trail, synchronise our breath, allowing ourselves to clear our heads of needless thoughts, and simply admire the gorgeous scenery unfolding around us.
However, the key here is to focus on the journey, not the destination, as many hikers tend to simply race to “conquer” peaks, instead of taking the time to enjoy the ambience of the natural environment. Along the way, we should take care to search for the sound of the birds, caress the moss and bark of the trees, smell the flowers as well as the decay of the leaves, feel the slight chill of dew on our skin, and open our minds and bodies to every sensation. Once you reach the end of your trail, or at any appropriate calm place along the way, you may further engage in silent meditation, to immerse even deeper into nature, and offload the stress of daily life.
https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/forest-bathing/
https://www.forestryengland.uk/blog/forest-bathing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuZaKB9j7I
https://www.naturecoaching.net/
