Donal Hickey: Try forest bathing to improve sleep, reduce anxiety and enhance mental health

From national parks to Coillte forests and suburban greenways, woods are in full leaf and ready to be enjoyed — whether it's a brisk walk, a stroll or a day's 'forest bathing'

Donal Hickey: We’re blessed to have Coillte forests and national parks in which to enjoy trees — not to mention a countryside full of sylvan riches. There are also many fine examples of splendid trees in urban areas, the Marina, in Cork, (pictured) for instance. Picture David Creedon

With the woods in full leaf and now at their most verdant, many people will be out walking among trees during the upcoming June bank holiday. The advice from experts is: switch off the mobile phone, let the earphones at home and allow nature in.

As more of us have come to appreciate the magic of the outdoors, derisory talk about tree-huggers and people hysterically embracing trees is now totally outdated. Trees are good for us and provide therapy for free.