Forest Bathing with Mary O'Dea - Limerick Quimper Tree Festival

A chance to immerse yourself in the healing powers of the forest as you are guided on a sensory mindful experience in Nature. Hi , I'm Mary, a lover of nature, the great outdoors, hiking, swimming, yoga and lying down in long grass or under trees. I have always found nature to be energising and healing and a place I am always welcome. I believe we need Nature to be happy and healthy and Nature needs us to be happy and healthy, but sadly many of us have lost that connection. My hope is to guide people to reconnect back to the wonders and healing powers of Nature and to themselves through the gentle practice of Forest Bathing. What to Expect Forest Bathing offers you the time to slow down, relax, and recharge your mind, body, and spirit among the trees. You will be guided through the trees and offered invitations to interact with the natural environment using all your senses; sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste ( there’s tea!). This is your time to just BE with nature, with no responsibilities, nothing to do. Every Forest Bathing experience is different and unique to you. We will be moving slowly, so you don’t need to be fit. We'll be walking on forest tracks and trails on mostly flat ground. Groups are kept small with a max. of 8 people. The whole experience takes approx. 2 hours during which time we walk only 2 km. What is Forest Bathing? The practice of Forest Bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan in the 1980s as a therapeutic practice introduced by the government in response to the rapid urbanisation being experienced there and the concerning negative impact on people’s health. The Health Benefits To fully understand how forest bathing could improve people’s health, a lot of research was conducted. It has been shown that spending time immersed in the forest atmosphere lowered stress levels, improved mood, reduced blood pressure, and strengthened the immune system and it could last for several days. Meeting point: Attendees will be emailed the exact google map location once numbers have been confirmed. What to Wear/ Bring Forest Bathing is wonderful rain or shine as long as you have the right gear. The following are recommended for your comfort and full enjoyment of the experience. Dress warmer than you would normally for a walk as you will be walking slowly and sitting/ standing at times. • Waterproof walking shoes or boots, wellies are good if it’s wet • Raincoat and rainproof leggings. • Extra layers. Wear layers so you can add / remove depending on the weather. Long pants • Long socks to cover your ankles • Hat, scarf and gloves • Water bottle and a snack • A small rucksack for your water and your extra layers, rain gear, a snack etc. This project is sposored by Serosep and funded by Creative Ireland and Limerick City and County Council through Limerick Creative Communities Programme 2026.