![Live Life In The Slow Lane](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/9315/396765/5e12e92579663/Live-Life-In-The-Slow-Lane.jpg)
‘Connection with nature improves our wellbeing’
AMANDA VESTY, FROM ALSAGER, FOUNDER OF ANCIENT AND SACRED TREES AND JACK IN THE GREEN RUNS FOREST BATHING AND OTHER MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION SESSIONS
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, was introduced as a national health program in Japan to tackle stress – that’s how powerful it is. It involves breathing deeply and absorbing the atmosphere of the forest as a way of yielding calming, rejuvenating and restorative effects. Think of it as a walk in the woods with added awareness. It’s scientifically proven benefits include improved immune system function and sleep, higher energy levels, better mood, increased concentration and, of course, decreased stress. It just proves what we have always known; connection with nature improves our wellbeing.
It was something I became convinced of in my twenties. I was attacked and nearly died. While I didn’t ever want to talk about it, my connection with nature helped me get over it. I’d spend all night sitting on top of Cader Idris, in Snowdonia National Park. The land brought me immense peace and healing – it still does.
I’d started in mainstream education but after that worked with young offenders, people with severe psychiatric needs and those looking to tackle stress. Taking people outside to read the landscape, discover trees and their own connections with nature, is powerful. We’re all looking for a connection. This world is so frenetic a part of us too easily goes into hiding. But happy people make the world a better place; happy people are far more likely to take care of themselves, each other and the planet. jackinthegreen.org
TAKE A MOMENT IN NATURE
Whether you’re in your own back garden or Cheshire’s stunning woodland, harness nature’s healing powers
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Cheshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Cheshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Home From Home For Christmas](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dbfd11fec8/crp_HOME-FROM-HOME-FOR-CHRISTMAS.jpg)
Home From Home For Christmas
Want to get away for the festive season but somewhere that’s comfortingly close? Here is our top 10 of feel-good escapes in and around Cheshire
![LAUREN SIMON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dc9bddecd7/crp_LAUREN-SIMON.jpg)
LAUREN SIMON
Lauren is still in shock about where she lives, but is making the most of autumn in Cheshire
![LOUISE MINCHIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dc8ad49a06/crp_LOUISE-MINCHIN.jpg)
LOUISE MINCHIN
The BBC breakfast host on life beyond the red sofa
![KALINI KENT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dc1ec7d5c2/crp_KALINI-KENT.jpg)
KALINI KENT
In conversation with Cheshire’s movers and shakers
![AT HOME WITH Dave Lister, Lloyd Mullaney, Trunk of Funkster CRAIG CHARLES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8db88ba7866/crp_AT-HOME-WITH-Dave-Lister-Lloyd-Mullaney-Trunk-of-Funkster-CRAIG-CHARLES.jpg)
AT HOME WITH Dave Lister, Lloyd Mullaney, Trunk of Funkster CRAIG CHARLES
The multi-faceted entertainer spends his working life here, there and everywhere, and he’s very happy he has Cheshire to come home to
![CLARE MACKINTOSH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dc78b35c0a/crp_CLARE-MACKINTOSH.jpg)
CLARE MACKINTOSH
Where does the author of four bestselling novels find inspiration when she’s stuck for words?
![Suits you](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dbe773b2a7/crp_Suits-you.jpg)
Suits you
Your chance to take home a bespoke tailored suit made in the heart of Liverpool
![Swamp thing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dc313c4a77/crp_Swamp-thing.jpg)
Swamp thing
Kunal Trehan and Thomas Hope are creating the home of their dreams in Sandbach, and started with the very damp grounds
![An autumn stroll with Darcy and Elizabeth](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8db5216ee96/crp_An-autumn-stroll-with-Darcy-and-Elizabeth.jpg)
An autumn stroll with Darcy and Elizabeth
A quarter of a century ago Colin Firth took a swim and plunged Cheshire’s Lyme Park into global fame
![A BRUSH WITH CHESHIRE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9315/539309/5f8dc54048ef3/crp_A-BRUSH-WITH-CHESHIRE.jpg)
A BRUSH WITH CHESHIRE
Explore our diverse county through the eyes and imaginations of these artists and their very different styles