Co-Founder of the Forest Bathing Institute nominated as a Top 100 Global Woman Entrepreneur
PEER-reviewed author, Co-Founder of The Forest Bathing Institute, and champion for connecting children and adults with nature, Olga Terebenina, has been nominated as a global leader to follow over the coming decade.
Olga’s drive and passion for the environment and individual health and well-being are at the heart of the ethos of The Forest Bathing Institute. Commenting on the Global Woman nomination as a Top 100 Global Woman Entrepreneur to be inspired by, Olga says: ‘I am absolutely delighted to have been nominated and to be part of such an esteemed network, it is a real honour. I appreciate each of us is dedicated to our personal cause with a vision to improve the welfare of others, and to be an inspiration to the next generation.’
Motivated by a fascination for the environment in her teens, Olga’s focus is to introduce the benefits of spending time in nature to old and young alike. Having experienced the drain on her own energy whilst studying at Kings College and living in Central London in her early 20’s, Olga explains how nature became her salvation.
Commenting on what transpired to be a demanding and stressful time in her life, Olga says: ‘City life is fast-paced, with constant stimulation, which is great, however it can also impact in a negative way and can be draining and cause anxiety and depression – which is what happened to me.
‘It was the introduction by my husband and TFBI Co-Founder, Gary Evans, who had been researching Forest Bathing, a form of eco-therapy underpinned by a mindfulness practice, that I realised how important it was to me to spend regular time in a natural setting, be that a park, garden or the countryside. This helped to recharge my batteries and ground me too.’
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku and the many years of scientific evidence citing the physiological and mental health benefits of spending mindful time in nature, The Forest Bathing Institute was founded in 2016. At its core is a vision to replicate and expand the Japanese research in the UK and to present the findings to government organisations, including the Department of Health and Social Care, with the aim of establishing the practice of Forest Bathing within the social prescribing initiative.
Ground-breaking UK research has been conducted in the UK in partnership with numerous universities, including the University of Derby, the University of Sheffield and the University of Birmingham, with the published papers detailing the findings, which have been presented to various government departments. There are ongoing discussions with governmental departmental bodies, local councils, charities, and medical professionals.
Currently, the Institute is in contact with circa 100 universities worldwide who are keen to work on new areas of research to evidence nature’s health and well-being benefits. The aim is to integrate this practice into the green social prescribing agenda across the globe. The Forest Bathing Institute regularly receive international delegations interested in launching country-specific projects with the assistance of Olga and Gary.
Reflecting on the journey of The Forest Bathing Institute and her own, Olga comments: ‘As an organisation, one of our goals is to spread awareness about the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature, as well as nature protection. Our founders’ mission is to make nature available to all people from all backgrounds and walks of life.’
My nature journey continues to deepen, and I am always amazed at how enriching an experience it is. Eleven years on, I now live on a 400-acre farm in West Sussex, a beautiful part of Southeast England – a far cry from London!’
If you are interested in finding out more about Forest Bathing and the science behind it, you can read the published scientific papers. Visit our website to find out more about The Forest Bathing Institute, its founders and vision for the future.
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