About
I am Ana Oliveira, the human being behind Forest in Mind.
Here you will find more about myself and my project.
How it started
The first seeds of what became Forest in Mind germinated from a National Geographic article on the effects on nature in our brains. Like many others, I always looked for nature to wind down and nourish myself. However, understanding how, and why that worked, became a revelation to me. I was fascinated and wanted to learn more.
Once I was doing my second degree sometime later, my dissertation topic was chosen. In the course of my research, I expanded my knowledge in environmental psychology, human ecology and physiology, and how all of it relates to our urban green spaces. It was then when I first heard about forest bathing…
This was a period of great personal growth, but also countless academic and work demands. My mental health started to suffer... As I went through moments when everything felt too difficult, I would use my newfound nature awareness to deliberately restore myself and regain the ability to keep going. Knowing how to do so in a structured way felt more important than ever and I decided to learn the art of forest bathing…
Training as a guide with the Forest Therapy Institute was a revelation... Like a new world had been revealed to me... Nature next door had acquired a whole set of opportunities for enjoyment, awe and nourishment. Furthermore, I saw how my walks were having similar impacts on the participants I was guiding, even during my training. It was then when forest bathing was no longer just about myself and my needs, but also about fellow human beings and their own challenges. What started as my own personal interest in the field was gradually to benefit others as well. It felt incredibly rewarding.
This motivated me to establish my own practice and keep connecting others with nature in a mindful and restorative way. Mindful not only in presence, but also of our impact.
Forest in Mind is about that reciprocal connection between us and nature. Nature benefits us immensely, and yet it is more than another resource to exploit to our advantage. We do have duty of care to our surroundings, and minimizing our impact in the ecosystems that nourish us so much is at the very heart of my practice. It is a reciprocal relationship: the forest heals the mind, as much as we must have our minds in the forest.
If you are curious about new ways to improve your mental health, cognitive capacity, want to try a different experience or are simply keen on deepening your engagement with the natural world, this place is for you!
Ana Oliveira
TRAINING BACKGROUND
Certified forest bathing guide by the Forest Therapy Institute
Outdoor first aider by React First
Mental health first aider by MHFA England
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OTHER
Degree in Landscape Architecture at University of Porto, Portugal
Kew Diploma in Botanical Horticulture
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My approach to forest bathing
Every forest bathing experience aims for the same goal: to achieve restorative outcomes aided by nature. The guide is the facilitator, nature is the protagonist.
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Although forest bathing is very much mindfulness based, my approach is more holistic and goes beyond a pure mindfulness activity. I integrate other pathways towards wellbeing which include but are not limited to: meaning, self-discovery, interpersonal interaction, expression, play, beauty, awe, or connection (both inwards and outwards). By integrating more than one aspect the experience becomes much richer and more regenerative.
My work is developed specifically for each setting and season, with participants at the forefront of the experience. Although I set the structure and pace for each walk, there will be space for you to explore, express and find your own way to wellbeing.
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I also believe in the accessibility of the practice. Forest bathing should not be restricted to those who live in next to forests or have the luxury to travel to one. Idyllic locations certainly improve the experience and make guiding a lot easier, however, even a local park can be a restorative place with the appropriate guidance. Exploring the potential of each place and showing people how to make the most out of it is at the heart of what I do.
I believe this can make the experience more inclusive and expand its resonance beyond the event.
All it takes is learning how to notice…
