Recovery Through Nature
Helping you to harness the power of nature to improve your physical, psychological, emotional & spiritual wellbeing, and support lifelong change through awakening your curiosity and deepening your nature connection.
Recovery Through Nature
Helping Nature Work Its Magic
My current work primarily explores how nature connection can support people in Recovery from drug and alcohol problems, mental health challenges, and the wider difficulties that so often sit alongside them. Whether through Forest Bathing, mindful time outdoors, gentle sensory awareness, or reflective nature-based practices, nature offers something deeply valuable — a place to slow down, come back to yourself, and begin again.
Find guidance, resilience, and wellbeing through the wisdom of nature.
This practical 64-page workbook combines nature connection activities, mindfulness practices, and reflective exercises to help you improve your mental and emotional wellbeing. Discover how the lessons found in trees, seasons, landscapes, and natural processes can support personal growth, resilience, and positive change. Includes access to more than 30 additional nature connection activities, articles, and downloadable resources.
Nature has been guiding and supporting human wellbeing for countless generations. This workbook is an invitation to step outside, slow down, and rediscover the wisdom that has been waiting for you all along.
Nature as a Guide: A Pathway to Mental and Emotional Health and Wellbeing
In a world that often encourages us to move faster, achieve more, and spend less time outdoors, nature offers a different invitation. It invites us to slow down, notice, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Nature as a Guide is a practical and inspiring workbook designed to support your mental and emotional wellbeing through nature connection, mindfulness, and gentle self-reflection. Drawing upon the wisdom found in woodlands, landscapes, seasons, and natural processes, this workbook encourages you to discover how the natural world can become a trusted companion on your journey towards greater resilience, balance, and wellbeing.
Across its pages, you will find thought-provoking exercises, reflective questions, and nature-based activities that help you explore where you are in life, where you would like to be, and how nature's patterns and metaphors can illuminate the way forward. From learning resilience through the changing seasons to finding inspiration in the quiet strength of trees, the workbook helps translate nature's lessons into meaningful insights for everyday life.
Whether you are experiencing stress, navigating change, seeking greater self-understanding, or simply longing to deepen your relationship with the natural world, this workbook offers practical tools and gentle guidance to support your journey.
As an added resource, the book includes access to more than 30 additional nature connection activities, articles, and downloadable materials, enabling you to continue exploring and developing your own relationship with nature long after you have completed the workbook.
A small collection designed to gently open the door into deeper relationship with the natural world.
This complete set of four Forest Healing booklets brings together practical guidance, reflective ideas, and simple nature connection practices that can be used anywhere — from ancient woodland to a nearby park, garden, or even a single Sit Spot outdoors.
Written to be accessible, grounding, and easy to follow, these booklets offer a pathway into the core practices of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku), Silvotherapy, and everyday nature connection. Rather than asking you to achieve anything, they simply invite you to slow down, notice more deeply, and allow nature to become an active presence in your wellbeing.
Across the four booklets you will explore:
• What Forest Bathing, Silvotherapy, and Nature Connection actually are
• The key benefits of spending mindful time in natural environments
• The practice of the “Sit Spot” and how to develop your own relationship with a chosen place
• Simple, practical Forest Bathing invitations you can try alone or with others
• Ways to bring nature connection into everyday life, even in small moments
Together, they form a gentle introduction to practices that have been shown to support reduced stress, improved mood, greater clarity of thought, and a deeper sense of belonging within the natural world.
These are not academic texts or rigid instruction manuals. They are invitations — encouraging you to step outside, slow your pace, and rediscover the quiet intelligence of trees, weather, and landscape.
Whether you are completely new to nature connection or looking to deepen an existing practice, this collection offers a simple, supportive starting point for building a more intentional and restorative relationship with the living world around you.
A small set of booklets that can change the way you experience even the most familiar patch of nature.
Buy all Four Forest Bathing and Nature-Connection Booklets for £11.00 including FREE P&P within the UK.
Postage to the Rest of the World is £4.
What is Recovery Through Nature?
Recovery Through Nature is an holistic approach that supports emotional, psychological, physical and social wellbeing through meaningful experiences in nature. It is not a treatment or therapy that replaces professional healthcare.
Instead, it complements counselling, recovery services, mutual aid groups, Therapeutic Communities, social prescribing, coaching and mental health support by providing opportunities to slow down, regulate the nervous system, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.
It is a person-centred, holistic approach that uses the natural world as a supportive part of healing and change. It recognises that Recovery is different for everyone, but that many people benefit from the same foundations: hope, self-belief, resilience, calm, connection, and a renewed sense of possibility. Nature can help create the conditions where those things begin to grow.
It can offer:
a calmer space away from stress and distraction
a gentle way to practise mindfulness and presence
opportunities to reconnect with body, breath, and sensation
a sense of perspective, belonging, and wonder
support for emotional regulation and self-reflection
encouragement to notice strengths, progress, and possibility
Nature asks very little of us. It simply invites us to notice what nature has to offer:
The sound of birdsong
The movement of leaves
The scent of pine after rain
The warmth of sunlight filtering through the canopy
These seemingly simple experiences can become powerful anchors during Recovery, helping people move away from constant anxiety, worry, cravings, shame, guilt or overwhelm and back into the present moment.
Rediscover Hope, Rebuild Wellbeing, Reconnect with Nature
Recovery is not just about stopping doing something harmful. It is about building a meaningful, satisfying life and this often involves finding new forms of support for the mind, body, emotions, and gaining a sense of purpose — not just treating symptoms, but nurturing the whole person. Recovery is one of the most courageous journeys we can undertake. Whether recovering from problematic drug or alcohol use, poor mental health, burnout, trauma, grief, chronic stress, or another life challenge, Recovery is about far more than simply overcoming difficulties.
It is about rediscovering who we are.
It is about rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with our values, finding purpose, and creating a life that feels meaningful once again.
That is where Recovery Through Nature comes in. I firmly believe that nature can play a remarkable role in supporting this journey.
Recovery Through Nature combines the evidence-informed practices of Forest Therapy, Mindfulness Practices and Nature Connection with the understanding that people flourish when they feel connected — to themselves, to other people and to the living world around them.
Rather than seeing nature simply as a pleasant place to visit, this approach recognises the natural environment as an active partner in healing, growth and wellbeing.
How Nature Supports Recovery
Recovery is increasingly understood as much more than abstinence or symptom reduction. Lasting Recovery involves developing hope, confidence, healthy relationships, purpose, self-care and resilience, and Nature naturally supports many of these foundations.
Time outdoors can help people:
reduce stress and mental fatigue
improve emotional regulation
practise mindfulness naturally
reconnect with their bodies
increase confidence through achievable experiences
reduce feelings of isolation
improve overall wellbeing
cultivate gratitude and hope
rediscover curiosity and enjoyment
develop healthier daily routines
Perhaps most importantly, nature offers something many people in recovery have lost:
A sense of belonging.
Trees do not judge.
Woodlands do not demand perfection.
The changing seasons quietly remind us that setbacks, growth, rest and renewal are all natural parts of life.
The Principles Behind Recovery Through Nature
This work brings together several ideas that run throughout Forest Healing.
Recovery is About Building a Better Life
Recovery is not simply about leaving something behind.
It is about moving towards something better.
A fulfilling life contains purpose, relationships, meaning, contribution and wellbeing.
Hope Creates Change
Recovery begins with the belief that change is possible.
Even when confidence feels fragile, spending time in nature often reminds us that growth happens gradually.
Every tree began as a seed.
Self-Efficacy Builds Resilience
Self-efficacy, a concept introduced by Albert Bandura, is the belief in your ability to perform the actions needed to achieve a desired outcome. When self-efficacy is high, people tackle challenges with confidence and resilience – it’s a self-fulfilling belief in one’s capability - as Henry Ford is reported as saying “Whether you think that you can, or you think that you can’t, you are probably right”. And as Bandura described:
“Unless people believe they can produce desired effects by their actions they have little incentive to act or to persevere in the face of difficulties. Whatever other factors serve as motivators, they are rooted in the core belief that one has the power to effect changes by one’s actions. [People who] expect their efforts to produce favorable results, view obstacles as surmountable and figure out ways to overcome them [whereas] people of low self-efficacy are easily convinced of the futility of effort in the face of impediments.”
You can read more about Nature Connection and Building Self-Efficacy here.
Recovery grows stronger when people experience success for themselves.
Completing a mindful woodland walk, noticing birdsong, learning tree identification or simply spending ten peaceful minutes outdoors can all reinforce the belief "I can do this”.
Mindfulness Becomes Easier in Nature
Many people struggle with traditional mindfulness practices, especially ‘internal mindfulness practices’ such as focusing on your breathing.
Nature offers mindfulness without pressure.
Instead of trying to empty the mind, we gently fill our awareness with birds, breeze, colours, textures and scents.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing
Recovery Through Nature naturally supports the internationally recognised Five Ways to Wellbeing:
Connect
Be Active
Take Notice
Keep Learning
Give
Together they provide simple but powerful foundations for long-term wellbeing. You can read more about the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Recovery here.
Who Can Benefit?
A practical nature-based workbook for people in recovery.
Develop skills to cope with cravings, manage stress, build resilience, and reduce the risk of relapse through nature connection and nature mindfulness practices. Created from real-world experience supporting people in recovery, this 64-page workbook combines practical exercises, reflective activities, and mindfulness techniques inspired by the natural world. The workbook also contains a link to register for access to over 30 further nature connection activities, as well as articles and additional downloads.
Supporting Your Recovery Through Nature Connection
Coping with Cravings and Preventing Relapse Using Nature Mindfulness
Recovery is not simply about leaving something behind. It is about rediscovering yourself, rebuilding resilience, and finding healthier ways to navigate life's challenges. Nature can be a powerful companion on that journey.
Supporting Your Recovery Through Nature Connection is a practical and compassionate workbook designed to help people recovering from alcohol and other drug use develop new skills for managing cravings, reducing stress, and preventing relapse through nature connection and nature mindfulness practices.
Drawing on the restorative qualities of the natural world, this workbook offers a range of accessible exercises, reflective activities, and mindfulness practices that can help you reconnect with yourself, your surroundings, and your sense of purpose. Through engaging with trees, landscapes, seasons, wildlife, and natural processes, you will discover how nature can provide inspiration, perspective, calm, and strength during the recovery journey.
The workbook explores practical ways to use nature as a source of grounding during difficult moments, helping you to recognise triggers, develop healthier coping strategies, and build greater emotional resilience. Rather than focusing solely on what you are recovering from, it encourages you to explore what you are recovering towards: a life with greater wellbeing, meaning, connection, and hope.
Written by Hugh Asher and developed through years of experience supporting people affected by problematic substance use, this workbook is also informed by the successful delivery of a Nature Mindfulness programme within the Scottish prison system. The activities have been designed to be simple, practical, and accessible, whether you live in a rural area, a town, or a city.
Nature teaches us that growth is rarely linear. Forests recover after storms. Trees adapt to changing conditions. New life emerges from what once seemed barren. This workbook invites you to discover how these same lessons can support your own journey of recovery, resilience, and renewal.
Recovery Through Nature may benefit a wide variety of people including those in, or experiencing:
alcohol recovery
drug recovery
gambling recovery
behavioural addictions
anxiety
depression
burnout
work-related stress
grief and bereavement
life transitions
loneliness
low confidence
emotional overwhelm
It is equally valuable for practitioners, recovery workers and organisations wishing to introduce nature-based wellbeing into their services.
Explore the Research
Over the past few years I have written extensively about the growing evidence supporting nature-based approaches to recovery and together they explore the science, psychology and practical applications of Recovery Through Nature in much greater depth.
You can explore these articles below:
Start Your Own Recovery Through Nature Journey
A beautiful journal for deepening your relationship with nature.
Designed by Forest Healing, this A5 journal provides 28 opportunities to reflect on your nature connection experiences through writing, drawing, and guided reflection. Record what you notice in nature, what you notice in yourself, and the insights that emerge along the way. With inspiring quotations, high-quality uncoated pages, and a luxurious velvet-laminated cover, it is the perfect companion for Forest Bathing, Sit Spots, mindful walks, and everyday moments of connection with the natural world.
P&P is FREE within the UK.
Postage to the Rest of the World is £4.
The more time we spend paying attention to the natural world, the more we begin to notice. A familiar tree that changes through the seasons. The return of birdsong after Winter. The scent of rain on the earth. The subtle shifts in our own thoughts, feelings, and wellbeing when we slow down and take time to connect.
This Nature Connection Journal has been created as a companion for your nature connection journey, helping you to capture experiences, deepen your reflections, and develop a richer relationship with the natural world around you.
Each spread combines a page for writing, sketching, or creative expression with a structured reflection page that invites you to consider what you noticed in nature, what you noticed in yourself, and what you learned from the experience. The journal also includes inspiring quotations that encourage curiosity, mindfulness, and deeper engagement with the living world.
Whether you use it after a Forest Bathing session, a mindful walk, time spent at your sit spot, or simply a few minutes in a local park or garden, the journal helps transform fleeting moments of connection into lasting memories and meaningful insights.
Over time, your journal becomes more than a record of places visited and things observed. It becomes a record of your own journey; a reflection of how your relationship with nature evolves and how nature, in turn, influences your wellbeing, perspective, and sense of belonging.
With high-quality uncoated pages suitable for writing and drawing, and a beautifully soft velvet-laminated cover that feels as inviting as the experiences it contains, this is a journal designed to accompany you into woods, parks, gardens, and wild places for years to come.
Begin where you are. Notice what is around you. Record what matters. Allow nature to tell its story alongside your own.
Every journey begins with a single step.
That first step might simply be slowing down beneath a tree.
It might be noticing the changing seasons, taking a mindful walk, or allowing yourself permission to pause.
Small moments of connection gradually become habits.
Habits become resilience.
Resilience becomes hope.
Hope becomes lasting change.
Nature cannot solve every problem.
But it can remind us that healing is possible.
Are You Ready to Explore Further?
Whether you're beginning your own recovery journey, supporting someone else, or looking for new ways to promote wellbeing within your organisation, I'd love to help.
You can continue your journey by:
Reading the articles linked above.
Exploring the Forest Healing store for books, journals and nature connection resources that you can use by yourself, or with others.
Joining my newsletter for weekly inspiration, practical ideas and the latest research into nature connection.
Getting in touch to discuss talks, workshops or Recovery Through Nature programmes for recovery services, charities, Therapeutic Communities or community organisations.
Recovery doesn't have to happen indoors. Sometimes the path forward begins beneath the trees.
Below is a video called “Green threads - Weaving stories of nature and recovery”, a documentary film that shares the success stories of people who have used nature in their recovery from substance use. This short film features people attending nature-based activities across different parts of Scotland. It also details their struggles with poor mental health, and how these programmes helped them cope in different ways. The film, created through a project led by the University of Stirling, shares stories not only of recovery, but also of friendship, as participants embraced nature as part of their daily routines. The film was funded by the Society for the Study of Addiction, The Salvation Army and the University of Stirling.
It features myself and some of my work with Phoenix Futures in their Rae House Rehab at about 16 minutes and 45 seconds in:
About Me
I have over 25 years experience of working with people experiencing problematic drug and alcohol use, mental and emotional health issues, and neurodivergence. In 2020 I trained as a Forest Bathing Guide and then in 2022 I undertook further training to become and Nature and Forest Therapy Practitioner. Combining my skills, knowledge and experience I became one of the pioneers of ‘Recovery Through Nature’ and now work primarily with people in Residential Drug and Alcohol Support. I have a degree in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Working with Substance Users and PhD in the Importance of Therapeutic Relationships in Engaging and Retaining Drug Users in Treatment.
The Nature of Scotland Awards
In 2024 I was the winner of the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ Category for my project 'Bringing Nature Connection and Nature Mindfulness into Prisons' that I ran on the Recovery Wing of HMP Inverness! Find out more!
You can watch a short video in which I talk about this work below:
Recovery from mental health or substance use challenges is not just about reducing symptoms – it is a personal journey of rebuilding a better life and a stronger sense of self. Central to this journey are the psychological resources of hope and self-efficacy, which are seen as key elements in fueling motivation and building resilience.