I believe there is a beautiful future possible, so different from the one top environmental scientists are warning us about. I believe in a future where we live gently on this earth, allowing nature to heal and thrive again.

I am so worried about the current predictions for our beautiful planet if we do not change our ways very soon. Yet I feel hope when I see how quickly the natural world can restore herself when we stop our destructive behaviours - remember how nature bounced back in the Big Pause at the beginning of Covid?

I believe that in this beautiful future people will also truly thrive, healthy and fulfilled, turning the clock back on the looming global crisis in human health.

Again there is cause for hope, as study after study shows that chronic physical and mental ill-health can be turned around by adopting more natural lifestyles, closer to the conditions our bodies and minds were born expecting.

We already know what our society needs to do to create this alternative beautiful future, we just need to commit to it.

I believe it’s that simple. Together, we can do this!

I believe these two crises in planetary health and human health, are two sides of the same problem.

There is a growing understanding that it is our sense of separation from nature that is at the root of our collective destructive behaviour.

Research is telling us that when we still our busy minds and reconnect with nature, something wonderful happens in us:

• we feel our personal problems less - pain, anxiety, and stress.

• we become more interested in the good of the community.

• we are more inclined to kindness and cooperation.

• we are more physically and emotionally well and resilient

• we can think more freely and openly with creativity.

These effects, and more, mean we have more energy to spare, and more ability to pull together to support our fellow humans and our planetary home. Research shows that when we connect with nature, we make more sustainable choices.

Spending time with the natural world we feel a sense of ‘coming home’ that’s ‘just right’. Rediscovering this sense of belonging, we come to recognise our interdependence, and rekindle our respect for the awesome natural systems which support our very lives.

Do you see the joy in her face in the top photo? That baby thought those leaves were The Best, and was giggling with delight to see them move!

Modern-day life is a mere blink of an eye in the evolution of our human species. We are all born with an instinctive sense of kinship with the natural world, but as we grow, our society creates a separation between us. Happily, this birthright is still there within us, waiting to be unearthed.

I love to see a person’s eyes light up with surprised delight when they feel that joy of experiencing the world in this fresh way.

Reconnecting with nature can be compared to a new friendship. We may feel cautious and shy at first. Forest Bathing is simply a pleasurable way to help us get better acquainted.

Forest Bathing has been described as a gateway into another enchanting world, and once we have learned how to go through we can return there at any time.

I love people, all of our individual and collective potential. And I love nature. I return to Forest Bathing again and again to restore my hope.

I created Coming to Our Senses because I want all people to have that opportunity, for the good of ourselves, and of our beautiful planet.