Held Outside
Held Outside
Remember the joy of walking on damp earth, the smell of eucalypt trees wafting, a kookaburra’s laugh causing an involuntary smile to curl upon your lips? In a digital world, forest bathing offers restorative connectivity for health and well-being for all the family. Jay Ridgewell from Held Outside runs guided nature therapy sessions for all ages. Today we briefly speak with Jay to learn more about how families can become involved.
How did you come to create Held Outside?
Jay: I’ve always loved learning about the world and sharing this with others, so I spent about ten years in the field of science communication and education. I first heard about nature connection while trying to understand the widespread denial about the climate and extinction crises. I learnt about how spending time in nature is proven to be good for us, how we call all build our connection to nature through practices such as forest therapy, and how strengthening those relationships is good for the Earth too. Then I did a forest bathing walk, and it just made sense. So now I’m working on my own relationship with nature, and guiding others on nature therapy walks and nature connection courses through Held Outside.
What are the benefits of Forest Bathing
Jay: When you’re immersed in the forest, it’s easy to realise that there’s so much value in getting out of our heads and noticing how our bodies feel. The research from cardiologists, immunologists, psychologists and more backs this up. Being slow in nature slows down our bodies into the ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic nervous system. We can also get a sense of awe, beauty in imperfection and a greater perspective on things.
If I were to book in, what could I expect to do?
Jay: On a walk with me, you’ll learn about the forest that we’re in, and we acknowledge country and get introduced to the group. Then we move into getting to know the forest through our own senses. These are invitational activities, so it’s totally ok to be doing something different to the person near you, or to just sit and chill for a moment. The invitations can be quiet and peaceful or sometimes playful and social. We finish with a little picnic tea ritual.
Do you have a special story that you would like to share?
Jay: Last year I was guiding a group of retirees through a local forest. After just the first half an hour of a forest bathing walk, one lady commented “I have been bushwalking and camping in Australia all my life, and I think this is the first time I have ever truly noticed the bush”.
Once people have completed a session, is there ongoing social groups or ways that people can continue?
Jay: Each guided walk – even if it’s in the same forest at the same time of day, and even with the same group of people – is different, because the forest changes minute to minute (and so do we!). I try and keep my walks affordable and offer discounts to those who’ve been along before so that once participants have been along, they know that they’re welcome to keep coming! It’s great to have your own personal sit spot or forest bathing practice, but doing it with a group just adds a whole other level. I’m planning on starting an ongoing nature connection group at the end of this year, where we can play around with others who don’t need so much introduction, and just want to get straight into the trees!
Take a leaf (pun intended) from Jay and make the time to forest bath and soak in natural magic for the soul!
Remember the joy of walking on damp earth, the smell of eucalypt trees wafting, a kookaburra’s laugh causing an involuntary smile to curl upon your lips? In a digital world, forest bathing offers restorative connectivity for health and well-being for all the family. Jay Ridgewell from Held Outside runs guided nature therapy sessions for all ages. Today we briefly speak with Jay to learn more about how families can become involved.
How did you come to create Held Outside?
Jay: I’ve always loved learning about the world and sharing this with others, so I spent about ten years in the field of science communication and education. I first heard about nature connection while trying to understand the widespread denial about the climate and extinction crises. I learnt about how spending time in nature is proven to be good for us, how we call all build our connection to nature through practices such as forest therapy, and how strengthening those relationships is good for the Earth too. Then I did a forest bathing walk, and it just made sense. So now I’m working on my own relationship with nature, and guiding others on nature therapy walks and nature connection courses through Held Outside.
What are the benefits of Forest Bathing
Jay: When you’re immersed in the forest, it’s easy to realise that there’s so much value in getting out of our heads and noticing how our bodies feel. The research from cardiologists, immunologists, psychologists and more backs this up. Being slow in nature slows down our bodies into the ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic nervous system. We can also get a sense of awe, beauty in imperfection and a greater perspective on things.
If I were to book in, what could I expect to do?
Jay: On a walk with me, you’ll learn about the forest that we’re in, and we acknowledge country and get introduced to the group. Then we move into getting to know the forest through our own senses. These are invitational activities, so it’s totally ok to be doing something different to the person near you, or to just sit and chill for a moment. The invitations can be quiet and peaceful or sometimes playful and social. We finish with a little picnic tea ritual.
Do you have a special story that you would like to share?
Jay: Last year I was guiding a group of retirees through a local forest. After just the first half an hour of a forest bathing walk, one lady commented “I have been bushwalking and camping in Australia all my life, and I think this is the first time I have ever truly noticed the bush”.
Once people have completed a session, is there ongoing social groups or ways that people can continue?
Jay: Each guided walk – even if it’s in the same forest at the same time of day, and even with the same group of people – is different, because the forest changes minute to minute (and so do we!). I try and keep my walks affordable and offer discounts to those who’ve been along before so that once participants have been along, they know that they’re welcome to keep coming! It’s great to have your own personal sit spot or forest bathing practice, but doing it with a group just adds a whole other level. I’m planning on starting an ongoing nature connection group at the end of this year, where we can play around with others who don’t need so much introduction, and just want to get straight into the trees!
Take a leaf (pun intended) from Jay and make the time to forest bath and soak in natural magic for the soul!!