An Invitation to Slow Down in Nature
Jade Hooper is a forest bathing guide and nature connection facilitator based in Stirling. Through her business, Wild Pines, she offers guided sessions and events that help people slow down, connect with nature, and experience the well-being benefits of time spent mindfully outdoors.
WORDS BY JADE HOOPER, WILD PINES
In our fast-paced culture, slowing down can feel like a luxury. Many of us spend our days juggling demands, screens, and schedules, with little time to pause. Spending time mindfully in nature can help us rediscover that stillness - a simple, powerful way to reset and reconnect. Even short periods spent outdoors in this way can support both physical and mental wellbeing, with effects that can last for weeks.
Wild Pines was born out of this awareness, and from my own journey. During a difficult period in my life, I found solace in the woods - a place to quiet my busy mind. Noticing details such as the gentle rustle of leaves, the singing of birds and the movement of light through trees, helped me slow down, breathe, and find a moment of peace. Wanting to share this experience with others, I trained as a forest bathing guide and founded Wild Pines to create opportunities for people to reconnect with nature, themselves, and each other.
Based in Stirlingshire, Wild Pines guides people in the practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, which began in Japan in the 1980s as a response to rising stress levels. The practice is simple, it’s about spending time with nature, moving slowly, and engaging your senses. There’s no water involved, but rather we ‘bathe’ in the atmosphere of the woodland around us. While forest bathing often involves gentle walking, it’s not your typical walk in the woods. The purpose is not to hike or reach an end destination, but to slow down, be present, and notice what’s alive in and around you.
The purpose is not to hike or reach an end destination, but to slow down, be present, and notice what’s alive in and around you.
Research suggest a range of potential benefits from forest bathing, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood and cognitive function, lower blood pressure and cortisol (the stress hormone), boosted immune function (through breathing in phytoncides - natural compounds released by trees), and a deeper sense of connection with nature and self.
A forest bathing session with Wild Pines usually lasts between one and two hours. We begin with a gentle grounding where we spend time priming our senses and breathing deeply. We then offer a series of “invitations” - short, mindful activities designed to connect with nature through the senses. These might include spending time collecting natural objects of different colours and textures, getting to know the tiny kingdoms beneath our feet, or simply sitting quietly and noticing what happens when nature invites us back into the fold. When shared as a group, there is something powerful about experiencing these moments together and fostering deeper connections not just with nature, but with others. Every experience is different, shaped by the season, the weather, and the people who come along.
One of the things I love most is the shift I see in people as the session unfolds. At the start, there can be a sense of restlessness or uncertainty - what exactly are we meant to do? Do we really have to walk this slow? But gradually, people begin to relax, breathing slows, and participants often describe feeling calmer, clearer, and more connected. Sometimes they report feeling floaty, or as though they’ve entered a relaxed, dream-like state. For many of us, that level of relaxation feels unfamiliar and can lead to profound transformation.
Wild Pines isn’t only about individual wellbeing, though that’s a vital part of it. It’s also about nurturing a relationship with the natural world around us. The more we notice the small details - the rustle of leaves, the scent of damp earth, the texture of lichen - the more we feel connected and care for these places. In a time when our environment needs protection, this sense of belonging feels especially important.
One of the things I love most is the shift I see in people as the session unfolds.
I work with a wide range of people - from individuals to community groups and corporate teams. Forest bathing is inclusive and adaptable; you don’t need special equipment or prior experience, just a willingness to step outside and be curious. For many of us, it’s hard to find time for ourselves, and that’s where Wild Pines can help. I invite you to join us - to take a couple of hours to pause, breathe deeply, and notice the quiet joy around us. In slowing down together, we not only care for ourselves but also begin to care more deeply for the world we’re part of. You can find out more and book sessions at www.wildpines.co.uk.
IMAGE CREDIT: WILD PINES
Thank you Jade for contributing to BORTHWICK LIFE | STYLE Editorial - Local stories made well.