You only have to let the soft animal of your body, love what it loves
Mary Oliver
SHIFT M.A.P. TM
Our Scandinavian/Nordic methodology, Eco Forest Therapy™, consists of three models, collectively summarized by the name SHIFT M.A.P.™, where “SHIFT” stands for Scandinavian Health Interventions by Forest Therapy and “M.A.P.” for Method, Art, Process.
Each of the three models: Eco Forest Therapy Flow, Nature Compass, and Guide Compass, is grounded in existing evidence within the fields of forest bathing, forest therapy, and human–nature connectedness. As their names suggest, they function as conceptual maps, process descriptions, and guiding frameworks for understanding and facilitating Eco Forest Therapy in an insightful and professional manner.
SHIFT
The term “SHIFT” represents a central concept within Eco Forest Therapy. It refers to a core function of forest bathing and forest therapy: the neurological shift from stress (sympathetic activity) to relaxation (parasympathetic activity), enabling a gradual process of mental, emotional, and existential immersion in nature over time.
Eco Forest Therapy™ offers a pathway toward reconnection and re-attachment to the natural world—both the nature within and the nature that surrounds us. The gradual shift that occurs during a three-hour forest therapy experience creates the conditions for experiencing a sense of “interbeing” with the natural world, expressed in Swedish through the registered trademark Naturvaro.
Scientific studies indicate significant correlations between this shift in the human–nature relationship and an increased willingness to protect nature, an important marker for motivating sustainable action.
M.A.P.
M – as in ”Methodology”
- The “Eco Forest Therapy flow” describes the psychological process and gradual experiences during a forest therapy session. It offers a pedagogical structure for planning and implementing an evidence-based forest therapy session.
- The “Nature Compass” consists of four directions, each pointing towards nature connectedness and well-being. The four directions are then, in turn, placed into four domains: physical, mental, emotional and existential.
- The “Guide Compass” is a model describing the four directions and areas of the Forest Therapy Guide expertise. It is a map for the guide to skillfully navigate and for others to get an overview of the expertise held by a Certified Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy Guide.
A – as in ”Art”
The “Art of Forest Bathing/Therapy guiding” is a sort of “weaving”, forming a unique pattern of skills, experiences and professionalism over time. For the Forest Therapy guide in training, it is the integration process taking place during a training period; a coming together of theory, methodology and science with personal experience, nature connectedness and facilitation.
P – as in ”Process”
The “Eco Forest Therapy” methodology describes a series of experiences that together form a flow; a process with the intention to gradually offer connection, stress reduction, relationship, interbeing and integration. This process is also characteristic of the web of experiences, skills and knowledge that each certified guide undergoes during training.
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