Wilder Lives

31/07/2025

Such a privilege to lead Headway Bedford clients through a forest bathing session in their garden this week - you don't have to go far to experience the benefits of tuning into nature 💚

Happy Thursday everyone!

🌿 A huge thank you to Liz from Wilder Lives for joining us at Headway Bedford on Tuesday! 🌿

Our clients had a wonderful time learning how to connect with nature through their senses and discovering simple, powerful nature-based mindfulness practices to support their mental wellbeing and their brain injury recovery. 🧘🍃

Liz's session was calming, inspiring, and full of practical tips that everyone can take away and use in daily life. We're so grateful for the opportunity to slow down and reconnect with the natural world around us. 💙

If you have a skill or service that you think could benefit our clients, then get in touch to find out more about coming in to present:
www.headwaybedford.org.uk

26/07/2025

Some friends were sharing travel plans today, and it started me thinking about how, even/especially when I'm away from home, I love getting out into nature. On foot/by bike/paddling - it's all good 🚵‍♀️🚣‍♂️🚶‍♀️😄

My next holiday isn't for a few months (and nothing booked 😢), so I thought I'd:
a) Ask for inspiration - where have you been and encountered stunning landscapes/wonderful wildlife/nature-based amazingness? Doesn't have to be far-flung, UK options very welcome!
b) Cheer myself up by looking back at some of the times I've been super-lucky and enjoyed incredible experiences in nature🥰)

25/07/2025

Try this: take your fingers for a walk 🖐

Did you know that each of your fingertips contains around 3000 nerve receptors, meaning they can detect an amazing array of subtle variations in touch and texture 🤯 So why not explore giving them something more than a keyboard/phone screen/pen (old school, I know 😉)/TV remote to play with 🙌

Find a patch of around 50cm - it could be on the ground, a tree trunk or branch, a mossy wall etc etc. If it's comfortable and safe to do so, close your eyes and then VERY slowly let your fingertips move across your patch - what do you notice? How many textures are there? What do you become aware of when you really tune in to the details of touch?

Bonus if you're feeling creative - you could imagine that your fingers are the legs of a small insect 🪲🦗🪳 What would they be noticing and sensing about their environment as they travelled across it?

20/07/2025

One of the things I love about forest bathing is that it encourages us to simply notice, without labelling. We can use our senses to appreciate the qualities of what's in front of us, without needing to know what it is, or judging it in any way 💚

Maybe I would need to be careful to avoid this vigorous 'w**d' from taking over my garden* - but that doesn't stop me appreciating the delicately precise shape of the the flower, or the the beautiful colours that shade its petals 🌸

*Or maybe not! Depends on your approach to gardening 😉

**dsareflowerstoo

19/07/2025

Today's forest bathing session at Salcey has sadly had to be cancelled due to thunderstorms (not good to be in the woods if there's lightning around ⚡️😢). So I've been trying to cheer myself up by remembering that if I get out there once the storm ends:
💦It will smell amazing
💨The air I'm breathing will be cleaner
🌈I'll get a boost to mood and energy

PS - I know I've shared this before, but the amazing Michael Mosley did a Just One Thing about making the most of negative ions from the rain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001ryhr

17/07/2025

🎉 Super-excited that we're finally able to re-start forest bathing sessions at RSPB The Lodge 🎉

The first event will be on Saturday 2nd August, and then we go monthly 😁

Can't wait to get back to helping groups relax and connect with nature on the beautiful reserve 💚🌿🥰🌳💚

Visit the link in bio or https://wilderlives.co.uk/events for more info, dates, and booking.

14/07/2025

Lessons from nature #276: cut me down all you like, make me into a fence if you must... I'll still find a way to grow 🌱😯😆

11/07/2025

Try this: sensing sun and shade ☀🌳☁️

When we have warmer (okay, HOT 🥵) weather, finding some leafy shade is the perfect way to spend your time 😅 And while you're there, why not try using your fingertips and hands to explore the trees around you - what do you notice about the areas of trunk that have been in the sun, as compared with those in the shade? How do shady vs sunny leaves or moss feel? Perhaps noticing temperature and texture, as well as any moisture, dryness or stickiness... 🌿🍃🍂

06/07/2025

Come and join the FREE Adult and Family Nature Connection sessions we're running for Central Bedfordshire Council this summer!

Take a gentle stroll with us through one of Bedfordshire's beautiful parks and try out sensory activities that help boost our wellbeing 💚

Adult sessions in Biggleswade, Campton, Houghton Regis, and Rushmere 🌳🚶‍♀️🌳

Family sessions in Ampthill, Campton, Houghton Regis, and Rushmere 🪻👨‍👩‍👧‍👧🌿

Sessions are completely free, but places must be booked - see pics for details or visit https://bookwhen.com/activelifestyles (look for the 'Calm and Connect: Nature' sessions)

Not able to join us but know someone that might be interested? Please spread the word!

23/06/2025

Grab 21% off any of this year's events at Salcey Forest - Forestry England! Head to the link in bio by 11.45pm TODAY 🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♂️and use code SOLSTICE21 at checkout 🌲☀️💚☀️🌳