Written by Jen, 1st October 2024
I’ve been struggling with it being the end of the summer, particularly because it feels like I just didn’t get enough sun. But instead of wallowing, I decided to embrace the inevitable change in the seasons and get outside and in nature! Here’s what I’ve been up to in September!
Attended a Wild Spa Retreat
Earlier in September I went to a “Wild Spa” at Watersedge in Bishampton. It’s a bit of a drive from Birmingham (an hour from the city centre), but in my opinion it’s well worth it!
Watersedge is an 11-acre wellness lake in the heart of Worcestershire, run by sisters Emily and Sophy. They offer open water swimming and paddle boarding, but also run a whole host of events, including regular Pilates, yoga, breathwork sessions and sound baths, introductions to open water swimming, and retreats.
So, what is a Wild Spa Retreats?! It’s very similar, and yet so different, to a traditional spa! We swam, relaxed, had a treatment, and ate delicious food, but all whilst outside in nature! For me being outside made this experience extra-special – I felt incredibly relaxed, but also exhilarated following the cold-water swims.
On arriving we were offered a welcome drink; I then spent some time enjoying a foot bath sitting around the fire pit looking out at the lake, followed by a half-hour back, neck and shoulder massage (although I could have chosen an Indian head massage or a facial instead). After my treatment I went for a wild swim, which I loved, then warmed up in the wood-fired sauna. Afterwards I had a mocha and a gooey pistachio cookie (there were lots of sweet treats on offer!), before enjoying my first ever sound bath. I couldn’t resist a second dip in the lake, before having a delicious lunch. The whole 5-hour experience was a real treat, and I would absolutely love to attend one again!
The really exciting news is that they will start to offer regular Wild Spa Retreats, so you haven’t missed out! Head over to the “Special Events” section of their website to find out more, and give them a follow on Instagram!
Went Forest Bathing
At the end of September I went Forest Bathing at Clowes Wood Nature Reserve in Solihull, guided by Lizzy of Healing Earth Ways.
“Forest Bathing (aka Shinrin-Yoku) is a set of mindfulness practices and meditative activities designed to calm the nervous system, awaken the senses, and bring us into meaningful relationship with the web of life. Forest Bathing has been scientifically proven to give rise to a range of health benefits such as reduced blood pressure, reduction in stress hormones, improved sleep, increases in anti-cancer proteins and reduced levels of anxiety, depression, anger and confusion too.”
Over the course of 3 hours Lizzy introduced us to lots of techniques for slowing down and appreciating nature around us, to allow us to move from a “beta” brainwave state (lots of brain chatter and being in planning mode, which is linked to higher anxiety) to alpha (associated with calm, creativity, intuition and “flow”). She encouraged us to focus on different senses – spending time looking, listening to, touching, and smelling the woodland around us. Many of us will have listened to and appreciated birdsong, but I’ve never smelt the woodland around me, or spent time touching the bark of a tree, or looked at leaves and moss through a microscope.
I would really recommend Forest Bathing if you’re looking for an alternative mindfulness practice, would like to destress, and to appreciate nature more; I left feeling calm and happy. Lizzy offers monthly Forest Bathing sessions, meaning you can also observe the woodland change with the changing seasons – and Autumn is the perfect time to see the leaves changing colour and to spot mushrooms.
Head over to Eventbrite to find out more, and give Healing Earth Ways a follow on Instagram!