Unloneliness Walk with Florence Williams & Paul Jarris

3501 New York Avenue Northeast,Washington DC 20002

05 March, 2022

Description

A unique forest bathing experience that looks at how nature can be an antidote to suffering from grief, loneliness, and even heartbreak. Florence and Paul will lead a forest-bathing experience in the National Arboretum with some added conversation about the science of loneliness and the possible ways that experiencing beauty and connecting with nature can be an antidote to suffering from grief, loneliness, and even heartbreak. Florence Williams is a science journalist and the author of The Nature Fix, and most recently, Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey. Dr. Paul Jarris is a leader in public health, health equity and policy, and wellness, and has been a FONA forest bathing guide for many years. The rain date for this event is Sunday, March 6th from 9 AM - 11:30 AM. About Forest BathingJoin our nature and forest therapy guides in this 2.5-hour long program that encourages you to slow down and take in the National Arboretum through all your senses. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, improved attention and mood, and hitting the reset button on life. The Japanese have enjoyed shinrin yoku for decades as a regular public health initiative. Our forest bathing walks consist of three ‘invitations’. Each time the guide will prompt you to reflect on a particular aspect of the natural world around you, give you time to wander and meditate throughout the garden collection, then reconvene the group to share reflections. While some people choose to walk extensively during this ‘forest bathing walk’, many others choose to sit and get to know specific areas of the collection. Each forest bathing walk will end with a modified tea ceremony — we will have small pre-packaged snacks to close the walk. Reserve Your TicketPlease pay what you can to attend this event. Our suggested ticket price is $35 (or $28 if you are a FONA member). This covers what we pay our guide to lead this experience, the snacks and PPE we provide participants, and the cost of our staff to organize these events. However, if paying $35 would prohibit you from attending this event, please pay what you can. We believe a connection to the land fosters the mental, physical, and spiritual wellness of individuals, communities, and the planet. We want to provide a quality event that facilitates this connection, but we also believe all members of our community should have access to this event. If you are able to pay more than the suggested ticket price, the difference will go towards covering the cost of those in our community who can’t. Once purchased, you will receive more information on how to prepare for the event. We choose where we will hold the walk based on seasonality in the Arboretum. We'll reach out 1-2 days before the event with final details of the walk's location. No pets or children under 16 for this experience. Important NotesWeather Cancellations: Forest bathing walks are held in many weather conditions, including light rain or snow. If the FONA cancels the walk due to unsafe conditions or threat of inclement weather, you will be notified by email at least 6 hours before the walk. The rain date for this event is Sunday, March 6th, 2022. Low Registration Cancellations: FONA reserves the right to cancel a walk if fewer than 8 people register. In the event of a cancellation due to low participant registration, you will receive a certificate to attend a walk at a later date. COVID Precautions: If you have not been vaccinated, please continue to wear your mask and social distance on the grounds of the National Arboretum. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available to those who need it. Participants are required to sign a waiver and complete a health questionnaire upon arrival before the event begins to ensure they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. If you are feeling ill, have contracted COVID-19, or believe you may have contracted COVID-19, please let us know before the event and you will receive a certificate to attend a walk at a later date. Please email [email protected] if you are concerned you cannot attend this event. Friends of the National Arboretum is an independent, non-profit organization established to enhance and support the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington DC.