It’s no secret that stress takes its toll on our skin, brain function, overall health and existing conditions. Even our immune systems can suffer as our front line defenders are suppressed by stress hormones, so in theory forest bathing is something the majority of us could probably benefit from, me included. Especially since I got my first ever eczema breakout this year due to stress, along with a sty the size of a peanut and, at my most frazzled, I missed periods.

So I reasoned that, although a forest bathing experience might not get me a bikini shot for the ‘gram, it would be good for me in other ways.

What happens during forest bathing?

Our guide Helena Skoog (Skoog translates to forest in Swedish, I kid you not), takes groups out from the Spread Eagle Hotel and Spa once a month for a two hour session in Midhurst, West Sussex. Looking exactly as one would expect a forest bathing guide to look (i.e, dressed in mossy greens and brown suede with feathers in her cap), Skoog found me a spare pair of wellies and thick socks while I stuffed my fresh white kicks back into my bag as quickly as I could.

Our group was entirely female, mostly in their sixties or seventies, meaning they were far less phased than me by the first instruction: to turn off our phones.

“I went forest bathing and it’s not what it sounds like”