Hello! Welcome to my newsletter.

In this newsletter I will be sharing with you how I handle everyday life with ADHD, but without ADHD medication. I will share tips, tools and strategies for you to introduce in to your own life so you too can manage your ADHD holistically.

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🌲 Forest Bathing for ADHD and Mental Wellbeing 🌲

A personal experience at Broughton Sanctuary

A Moment to Slow Down

Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending a Forest Bathing workshop led by the brilliant team at Hawk and Heath. The session, run by Aly Foster and Robert Fisher, took place at the stunning Broughton Sanctuary in Skipton—a peaceful pocket of woodland that felt worlds away from the usual day-to-day pace.

What is Forest Bathing?

Forest bathing (or Shinrin-yoku, as it’s known in Japan) isn’t about hiking or exercise—it's about slowing down, engaging the senses, and deeply connecting with the natural environment.

What We Did

We began by quietly walking into a field, where we gathered beneath a towering Yew tree. It was a grounding moment—just standing still, breathing, and really noticing our surroundings.

From there, we were guided into a fenced woodland area within the sanctuary. Aly and Robert gently walked us through the principles of forest bathing. At one point, we even stopped to sniff leaves and soil (yes, really!), tuning into our senses in ways we often forget to.

Why It Matters (Especially for ADHD)

Now, you might be wondering, “Why is Carly talking about trees in an ADHD newsletter?”
But if you live with ADHD, or support someone who does, or perhaps struggle with your mental health, you’ll already know how vital it is to find tools that calm the nervous system, improve focus, and boost emotional regulation.

Forest bathing can support ADHD and mental health by:

🌿 Lowering cortisol levels (aka reducing stress)
🌿 Improving mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression
🌿 Enhancing respiratory and immune function thanks to phytoncides released by trees
🌿 Boosting cognitive function and attention
🌿 Improving sleep and supporting melatonin production

The Hawk and Heath App

The Hawk and Heath app is designed to help you learn the art of forest bathing from anywhere. It features a growing library of short, accessible videos covering everything from mindfulness techniques to nature-based practices. I'm proud to say that I’m a featured expert on the app, sharing guidance on how forest bathing and cold water exposure can support neurodivergent minds—especially for those of us with ADHD.

If you think the app could help you, or your business, please click here to find out more. You can either pay £1.99 a month or if you decide to purchase a lifetime membership, use code: WILDMINDS which gives you a massive £10 discount.

I’d also like to quickly shout out about the Seven Pillars of Wellbeing Festival that Hawk and Heath are hosting on 1st June 2025. I will be there with a stall and I’m also doing a talk on holistically managing ADHD. Join us at Leeds Trinity University for an inspiring day dedicated to nurturing your mind, body, and soul. Immerse yourself in engaging workshops, hear from inspiring speakers, browse gorgeous products, and participate in interactive activities designed to promote a balanced and fulfilling life. For FREE tickets, click here.

Final Thoughts

It was such a gift to take two hours to slow down, be present, and reconnect. For anyone living with ADHD, or just feeling the weight of modern life, I honestly can’t recommend forest bathing enough.

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I hope you find what I write interesting, helpful and sometimes funny! And if you do, I'd love it if you shared what I am saying with others.

I have a few slots available for coaching. If you would to have a FREE discovery call, please follow this link: https://app.youform.com/forms/ccaga68h

Carly x