Forest Therapy for Caregivers
By Giovanna Raineri
Just like trees, human beings also need water, air, light, nutrients, and space to grow.
You’ve probably been surprised to hear about the complex underground communication network in forests; the wonderful interaction between fungi, plants, and trees. And how they are able to help and protect each other, in a constant and balanced exchange; a give and take.
This act of reciprocity from the Earth has invited me to reflect on so many caregivers: fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, people who give all their energy to caring for a loved one, postponing their own wellbeing. A relationship where the balance is unbalanced, not only because those who require their care often cannot reciprocate, but because the caregivers themselves have forgotten what they need: self-care.
Trees warn each other when they are in danger and send out signals. Caregivers don’t always perceive that they are in danger, but their bodies are responsible for sending the signals: fatigue, health problems, depression, anxiety, among others.
This past year, I have been able to guide forest therapy walks for caregivers and have witnessed how this relationship with the forest not only helps stabilize the balance of self-care versus caring for others, but also how human beings repair their relationships with others, themselves, and the more-than-human world: nature.
“In this forest, I remembered my grandmother telling me to splash my face with river water to wash away my sorrows. And when I put my hands in the river and splashed my face, I felt alive, I felt happy. I live in a forest, and I want to spend more time with it,” shared a mother in the circle.
And I noticed that this complex network of communication in the forest was present; 
not only watching over our needs for care but also reminding us of our bond with it.
All writing and photo credits go to Giovanna Raineri.