With spring well on its way this year, the excitement to return to the nature outside is growing. Bouts of cold weather may still be around for some time though, but that is no reason to hold off on forest bathing until the winter. In an article on the ANFT site by Ronna Schneberger, she discusses how she is able to forest bathe despite the blistering cold weather.

One of the first key points that Schneberger discusses when talking about winter forest bathing is preparation. She notes how bringing the proper clothing for warmth is even more essential, and to remind participants that forest bathing produces a relaxing effect on the body and participants will not be doing a vigorous activity like hiking that would normally warm them up.

She talks about how winter forest bathing may have some slight deviation in trail types used. Using a more strenuous hill may produce some more warmth from participants, but to again be mindful of the pace used. The invitations used may differ in winter forest bathing as well. Instead of spending a long time in a single place, Schneberger suggests constantly moving to keep the participants warm and the blood flowing.

Try building in “here to there” invitations so they can keep moving.  Instead of doing a group council try a pair share while walking then arrow to the heart as a group.

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Ronna Schneberger

A great section of her article was her examples of invitations to try while forest bathing in the winter. Some of the examples she game are ice music, snowflake gazing, and forest art. These invitations all highlight the wonders of winter and the significance of forest bathing during the coldest time of year. For more information on how to forest bathe in the winter, visit her article for a more detailed description!