Wellness from the Woods

Who: Jonna Huomo

Current Gig: Forest Health Coach, Entrepreneur, Public health nurse, Mindfulness Instructor

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Favorite way to relax: Reading, listening to music, walking in the forest and meditating

@jonnahuomo

LN: What inspired you to become a Forest Health coach? Is there a personal story behind it?

JH: I was working as a public health nurse, helping companies and individuals stay healthy, but I always felt that there should be a more comprehensive way to help people. When individuals are faced with stress, particularly in this age of information overload, we remind them to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. While these are sensible suggestions, I have always felt that we could do more to help people.

When my daughter got sick, I had to leave my job to be more available to her, so I decided to start my own business. This gave me an opportunity to start helping people and organizations in ways that I found effective, and I got to put my ideas into practice. I started adding some new elements to my work: mindfulness and forest health. Taking people into nature and having them work on mindfulness there makes for a perfect mix. Combined, these two practices work as an “effective medicine”, and my patients are able to develop awareness, balance, recovery and restoration.

“Taking people into nature and having them work on mindfulness there makes for a perfect mix.”

I am very happy, and I love my job. It is amazing to see how people are starting to feel more balanced and focused again. Some feel that through these practices, they are getting their life back, which makes my work very rewarding. My work schedule also allows me to be available to most important people in my life (my daughter has type 1 diabetes, so it’s important for me to be available to her). My work schedule also gives me time to do voluntary work; I know how stressful life can be with chronic diseases, so I volunteer with families of those with type 1 diabetes to help in any way I can.

LN: Nordic people share a unique connection with the forest. What expertise or knowledge can Nordic lifestyle bring into Forest Therapy, if any?

JH: Nordic people have always felt connected to nature and have learned to live in harmony with it. Our forests were there for us during wars and poverty- feeding us, sheltering us, comforting us, and offering us medicine. This ancient knowledge is still available to us and to anyone who is interested in learning about it. For those of us who choose to learn, it is then our duty to understand the relevance of this knowledge in modern times and share it with the rest of the world.

“Our forests were there for us during wars and poverty- feeding us, sheltering us, comforting us, and offering us medicine. It is our duty to understand the relevance of this knowledge in modern times.”

Nordic cultural traditions also factor into why the Nordic people have a unique connection with the forest. For example, children often play in the forests, and adults and children alike enjoy spending time picking berries and mushrooms, hiking and camping. These are wonderful, natural ways to enjoy nature and I think it’s imperative to keep telling stories of these activities to inspire others to do the same.

“Research institutions in Finland are continuously working on discovering new ways we can benefit from natural substances.”

Additionally, it is important for us to tell the world about the amazing Nordic research findings about the health benefits of nature. Research institutions in Finland are continuously working on discovering new ways we can benefit from natural substances. For example, there are many studies focusing on the compounds in trees, and exploring their capabilities to cure diseases or aid other health conditions. I am hopeful that these findings will help us respect nature even more. After all, our relationship with nature comes intuitively- humankind won’t survive if we destroy it. I also think that by encouraging people to spend more time in nature, it will bring us closer to greater humanity, peace and balance.

“..by encouraging people to spend more time in nature, it will bring us closer to greater humanity, peace and balance.”

LN: Today, we see Forest Therapy or Forest bathing developing in many countries, in many forms. Amos Clifford concludes in his book, Your Guide to Forest Bathing, that the earth is calling us back into the forest. Why do you think Forest Therapy or Forest Bathing is emerging in these times?

In today’s world, we deal with increased levels of stress and are constantly overloaded with information. Modern technology can be very helpful, but it needs to be balanced with time away from technology- otherwise, we get overstimulated and tense. We have become unaccustomed to actually listening to our bodies and experiencing stillness, and we need to slow down to keep ourselves physically and mentally healthy.

“We have become unaccustomed to actually listening to our bodies and experiencing stillness, and we need to slow down to keep ourselves physically and mentally healthy.”

Nature offers us grounding and relaxing elements and experiences. For example, even just being surrounded by trees allows us to breathe clean air, which in turn massively benefits our health and well-being. Walking in nature allows us to get exercise while being surrounded and amazed by the beauty of nature.

“Nature offers us grounding and relaxing elements and experiences.”

Nature, for me, is like another home- you can go to the forest at any moment, no matter what else is happening in your life, and you’re always welcome. It doesn’t matter how you look or feel. It doesn’t matter if you’re upset or have a lot on your mind. Nature is always welcoming.

LN: What practical advice can you offer to someone who would like to start practicing Forest Bathing (where to start and how to make it a part of your daily life)?

Find a nice and easy place for you to visit- whether it be a park or a guided path in a forest- that’s removed from the sounds of city life. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and feel free to take a friend if you feel that will be helpful. Use all your senses: listen to the birds, feel the sun and wind on your skin, see the trees and smell the flowers. After you’ve spent some time observing nature as it occurs naturally, start focusing on yourself and your sensations. Listen to your breathing and start to notice any sensations in your body. Acknowledge what is going on inside of you.

“After you’ve spent some time observing nature as it occurs naturally, start focusing on yourself and your sensations.”

It’s beneficial to practice forest bathing every day, but if it’s not possible for you to make it outside every day, a good and healthy alternative is to look at nature pictures and watch videos. I want forest bathing to be accessible, which is why I co-created the Walk in Finland- application. This is a virtual nature walk application (available in the App Store and Google Play Store) that lets you listen to the sounds of nature if it isn’t feasible for you to make it outside each day. It’s a great way to spend your office break, too!

“I want forest bathing to be accessible, which is why I co-created the Walk in Finland- application.”

I wish your journey with forest bathing to be relaxing, refreshing and full of magical moments in nature. And I hope you discover how good it makes you feel.