How Nature Keeps the Mind Young.

Recently, an article I wrote was featured in the MP Magazine.

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Or paused mid-conversation, searching for a word that once came effortlessly?

As we age, changes in memory, attention and focus can become more noticeable. The worry about those changes can become another source of stress.

I know the toll stress can take. While living with chronic illness for many years, I eventually found an unexpected path back to my healthy self: nature.

Forest therapy, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, invites us to slow down and engage our senses. We listen, notice, breathe and become fully present in the natural world.

Research is increasingly demonstrating the benefits of this connection. Studies have found that time in forests and natural environments can support psychological wellbeing and reduce stress and anxiety. One study involving adults over 70 found significant improvements in memory, immediate recall, language and visuospatial ability following a 20-week forest healing program.

The research tells part of the story. The experience itself can be much more immediate.

In a world that constantly demands our attention, nature gives us permission to pause. To notice birdsong, the texture of bark, the movement of leaves and the rhythm of our breathing.

For me, this connection became more than an escape. It became a way to slow down, reconnect and rediscover calm.

Through my Awaken, Reconnect, and Rediscover program, I invite others to step away from the noise, reconnect with nature and experience the power of slowing down.

Nature cannot stop us ageing. But it can help us stay engaged, connected and curious about the world around us

Sometimes, the most powerful change begins with something simple: stepping outside and paying attention.

As a qualified forest therapy guide, coach, and outdoor leader, I love sharing nature's power with others. Bring your curiosity and try Forest Therapy.