Imperial Health Charity is delighted to present this new exhibition of works reflecting on the vital role our forests and woodlands play in our wellbeing
Our increasingly urbanised and overpopulated world can be a stressful, claustrophobic and unhealthy place to live. The loss of natural landscapes to industry and agriculture and the large amount of time the majority of us spend indoors has led to dwindling opportunities for people to be in contact with natural environments. Research shows that being amongst nature is a tangible tool for improving wellbeing, whatever your physical ability, and thankfully there are many organisations working to preserve green spaces and create new ones.
This photographic display presents forest bathing, one method of actively engaging with the natural world to improve one’s health. Forest bathing is inspired by the popular Japanese wellbeing practice of relaxing under the canopy of trees - known as shinrin-yoku. It can offer many physical and mental health benefits, such as stress relief, lowered blood pressure, improved mood and pain threshold; it can also improve memory and concentration.
London is a surprisingly green city and there are many places to connect with nature – no matter which zone you are in. In fact, in 2019 it was designated the world’s first National Park City, a reflection of its status as ranking among the best cities on the globe for green, open spaces. The hospitals of Imperial NHS Trust are all close to a variety of places to explore; landscaped parks, formal gardens and even some wilder areas such as the wetlands in Hammersmith and Wormwood Scrubs.
We hope to bring some of the serenity and calm of a woodland walk to our hospitals and highlight the benefits to your wellbeing that can come from being amongst nature. We would like to thank all the artists and lenders whose kind collaboration has made this exhibition possible. Our thanks also to the Tree Art Gallery and Purdy Hicks Gallery for their support of the show.
For more information about the exhibited artists, visit their websites by clicking below:
Simon Baxter | Ellie Davies | Gareth McConnell | Simon Roberts | Santeri Tuori | Joanna Vestey | Purdy Hicks Gallery | The Tree Art Gallery
Banner image: Simon Baxter, Tree Bathing. Photographic print. Courtesy of the artist and the Tree Art Gallery.