While the whole swapping going out for staying in during 'dry January' can all sound a bit Blue Monday, there's undoubtedly benefits to living a simpler lifestyle after the excesses of party season.

Last year Hygge, the Danish concept of cosiness, struck a chord with the nation and reminded us to take time out for relaxation, by way of enjoying comfort food in our sheepskin slippers or pausing over a good book in front of an open fire.

Alongside the joy of feeling snug (and often, smug) comes a new wellness movement afoot that sounds just as satisfying.

Enter 'forest bathing' - a form of Japanese therapy known as shinrin-yoku. Already adopted in California, this idea of retreating to nature has been scientifically proven to benefit our health, by way of lowering heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormone production while boosting immunity and mood, not to mention overall feelings of wellbeing.

Nordic Sauna | ELLE UKpinterest

You don't need to travel to the other side of the world for a weekend in the woods to experience it, though. While enjoying a 'city cleanse' on a visit to the Aqua Sana Sherwood Forest in north Nottinghamshire you'll discover the joy of forest bathing, plus 'forest hibernation'; whereby bringing the outdoors in – to a sumptuous spa, that is – you can nest amongst nature.

Our collective grasp on mindfulness, coupled with the communal desire for a digital detox, makes it all feel very 2018. Yes, you can swim in the pool and book facials like at any spa, but this forest escape is as much about that as is it about stillness, stargazing and restorative therapies performed in darkness.

Among the 26 'spa experiences', inspired by its beautiful natural setting, you'll find outdoor hot tubs (very shinrin-yoku) and a unique treetop sauna sitting 10m high in the trees, both offering stunning forest views.

Treetop Sauna | ELLE UKpinterest

You can try a dry floatation treatment or have a massage performed with bamboo sticks. There are rainforest showers, tropical steam rooms, waterbeds and a meditation zone where–cocooned in darkness–you can gaze at a forest sky projection as stars twinkle overhead. Or simply sleep.

Call the concept what you will, the effect is not only calming, but mentally cleansing, too. Whether you just get out for more walks in the woods this new year or splash out on a spa visit, a physical and mental escape from modern city life is calling.

From: AR Revista