Spring is time to try some heath basking

Spring is often considered to be a period of new life and fresh starts when things wake up. This makes it a perfect time to tune your senses to connect with nature.

It’s well known that spending time in green spaces can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing and that nature can make us feel calm, joyful and help with concentration.

You may well have heard of forest bathing, an ancient Japanese relaxation method of being calm and quiet in amongst the trees.

Since we have many beautiful heaths in West Sussex, our ranger team are encouraging a slight twist on forest bathing, go heathland basking this month!

Stop and listen to the bird song.

Research has shown that listening to bird sounds can offer relief from mental fatigue and stress.

This time of year the birds are at their most vocal.

Listen out for the ‘teacher, teacher’ of the great tit, or the unmistakable sound of the Chiff chaff!

Out on the heaths, listen out for the musical notes of the woodlark as it sings on the wing.

The woodlark nests on the grounds on our heaths, so make sure to stick to the paths and stay out of the heather to enjoy their song without disturbing them.

Touch can help us feel calm and balanced.

Our reptiles are starting to emerge from hibernation, and on a sunny day will begin to bask on bare sandy parts of our heaths.

Why don’t you try the same, stop briefly and stand or sit to feel the warmth of the sun on a spring day or feel the rough bark of an old oak or birch tree?

As well as the bright yellow gorse, try to notice other colours, shapes and patterns out in nature.

Happy heathland basking!