Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Croydon well-being initiative is introducing Japanese ‘forest bathing’ to local parks, aiming to improve mental health and community wellness.
Access to green space was a key determinant of who had and did not have during the lockdowns. The rest of us were being fined hundreds of pounds for sipping coffee on a wooded seat or being evicted from parks by the police, while Boris and his chancers were enjoying wine in the Downing Street gardens.
People’s intense desire to be outside, interact with nature, and get away from their own four walls was demonstrated by how anxious they were to get to parks, beaches, and the countryside during the lockdowns.
Crucially, according to specialists in mental health and wellbeing, having access to nature—or at the very least, a green space—is a “must have” rather than merely a “nice to have.”
According to study, “forest therapy” lowers stress, increases immunity, improves focus, and enhances mood, according to an article on the Harvard Health Blog. Stress causes the hormone cortisol levels to rise, and chronic increases in cortisol are linked to heart disease and high blood pressure.
A study conducted on 20,000 adults in Britain and published in June 2019 by Nature’s Scientific Reports arm found that just 120 minutes a week of exposure to any kind of nature enhanced health and wellbeing. Just 20 minutes a day might make up the 120 minutes.
It also works for patients in hospitals. Surgical convalescents who are in a bed with an outdoor view recover more quickly and require less potent pain treatment than those who are facing a brick wall.
Croydon ParkBathe was founded in 2021 by Vanessa Potter with the goal of bringing small groups of people outside to enjoy an hour of quiet (as much as is feasible in a suburban park), as well as visual, olfactory, and tactile experiences that, after several walks, reduce anxiety by roughly 40% and intrusive “mind chatter” by about 50%.
They could all walk in a park or woodland on our own, of course, but joining a small ParkBathe group offers companionship, a reliable, repeatable, supervised framework, and above all safety. The presence of others and the knowledge that there is always someone behind them who “has their back” reassure many individuals, particularly women, who feel unable to enjoy green spaces on their own, Potter says.
This is so crucial that ParkBathe, which is primarily accessible to everyone, hosts walks exclusively for women that are specifically targeted at people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. It’s more of a “light touch” reaction to domestic abuse where women can—and do—self-refer to help lessen their fear and worry, Potter explains, rather than being a specialized trauma agency.
Special sessions with dogs are also offered because it is well known that being among animals reduces stress, and this impact is exacerbated when paired with ParkBathe’s advantages. People again self-refer to attend these seminars, which are very popular.
With the help of eight walk leaders and twenty ambassadors, ParkBathe is held in eight parks in Croydon and Bromley.
There is no denying the connection between nature, outdoor space, and mental health and wellness. We should all think about accepting the idea that something as basic and organic as greenery is good for our souls, and ParkBathe does a great job of meeting this need.
For a six- or 12-month work experience, ParkBathe is seeking an A-Level student. Data management, public relations, and newsletters are among the tasks that require help. The volunteering component of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award would be eligible for six months of participation, whilst the Gold Award would require twelve months.
How does ParkBathe adapt forest bathing for suburban Croydon parks?
Conducting slow, mindful, and guided walks through local parks and green spaces, focusing on sensory experiences like sight, smell, and touch, rather than the vastness or wilderness of forest environments.
Emphasizing “soft fascination,” a gentle, effortless attention to nature’s details, helping participants calm their nervous system and reduce mental clutter even in noisy or less pristine park settings. Encouraging participants to slow down their walking pace dramatically, sometimes taking a step every few seconds and to simply be present rather than rushing or multitasking.
Applying practices that do not require pristine or isolated natural settings; even urban tree-lined streets, community gardens, or unruly green patches offer restorative benefits when approached with mindful attention.