Seeking respite from global anxieties, including the war in Iran and rising gas prices, Claire Jefferies recently found solace in a practice known as forest bathing. For two hours, the human resources director immersed herself in nature at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“When I’m here, it’s almost like a protective bubble around me,” Jefferies said amidst the oaks and magnolias. “It provides a shield.”
The Sunday morning session was guided by certified forest therapy expert Shawn Ramsey. With the gentle jingle of a tiny brass bell, Ramsey gathered her group of a dozen participants for meditation, breathing exercises and a deeper connection with the natural world…