Slowing Down: My Journey Begins with ‘Prescribe Nature’

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There is something transformative about the air at Newbattle Abbey College. This week, I took a step that feels like a deep breath for the soul: I officially started Prescribe Nature.

​If you haven’t heard of it, Prescribe Nature is an 8-week outdoor wellbeing programme designed for adults who need a little extra support—whether that’s improving mental health, reducing social isolation, or simply building back lost confidence. It’s held in the stunning, peaceful woodlands of Newbattle, and honestly, the setting alone feels like medicine.

​Why I’m Here

​We all go through seasons where life feels a bit too loud or a bit too heavy. For me, this journey is about reconnecting with nature on a personal level. I’m looking to improve my overall wellbeing and grow through an experience that feels calming, supportive, and empowering.

​And as a lovely bonus? It turns out this journey also leads to a recognised award! 😊

​Week One: Learning to Breathe Again

​The focus of this first week was simple but profound: Slowing down. In our modern world, we are so used to rushing from point A to point B. This week, I was challenged to do the opposite. I spent time exploring the forest floor, collecting treasures, and learning to identify the life that grows right under our feet.

​We also got stuck into some practical woodland skills. I learned how to:

  • ​Set up tents and put up hammocks (there is nothing quite like the peace of a hammock in the trees!).
  • ​Master various knots.
  • ​Be creative using only what the earth provides.

​The Takeaway

​The biggest lesson I’m taking home from week one isn’t just about knots or tents—it’s about the importance of slowing life down. By stripping away the digital noise and the daily "to-do" lists, I found a renewed sense of creativity and a genuine spark of enjoyment in the natural world.

​I’m looking forward to seeing what the next seven weeks hold. If this week taught me anything, it’s that nature doesn’t hurry, yet everything gets accomplished.

​Have you ever felt the "healing" power of a walk in the woods? Let me know in the comments!


Check back here to follow my 8-week journey with Prescribe Nature at Newbattle Abbey College—a programme focused on mental health, woodland skills, and slowing down.


A Highland Theological College graduate and non-conformist follower of Jesus living at the crossroads of neurodiversity and faith. Writing on the wild grace of the Gospel.

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