The Benefits of Forest Bathing for Teachers with David Stepanczuk

The Benefits of Forest Bathing for Teachers with David Stepanczuk

Author: TESOL Pop January 2, 2024 Duration: 7:53

This special episode for Season 7 features a narrative from educator David Stepanczuk, who shares his journey from the challenges of finding work in Japan to discovering the practice of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) for stress relief.


In this episode, David shares:


Discovering Forest Bathing: David recounts the pivotal moment during a trip to Nara Park, where the expansive forest and tame deer provided a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. He later experienced the need for a break during a hectic teaching schedule, leading him to discover forest bathing or shinrin-yoku.


Forest Bathing Benefits: David describes forest bathing as a slow and immersive experience, distinct from hiking. He emphasizes its role in clearing the mind, promoting relaxation, and its potential for alleviating teacher fatigue.


Personal Observations: David shares his observations on the benefits of forest bathing, including reduced blood pressure, increased energy, and enhanced focus.


References & Resources

Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Available here. Accessed on 2 Jan 2024

Stepanczuk, D. (2020) How PAC Almost Got Me. Available at MIND BRAIN EDUCATION. Accessed on 2 Jan 2024

Stepanczuk, D. (2023) Meditation and Incense: How I Meditate, and Teacher Fatigue. Available on LinkedIn here. Accessed on 2 Jan 2024


Did you know that TESOL Pop has a YouTube channel where you can watch this episode with closed captions and many more? Click here to watch.


You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:


Want to join our next non-fiction book club? Click here to find out more.


Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our knowledgeable guest, David Stepanczuk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Ever feel like the best teaching ideas come from a quick chat in the staffroom, but your schedule never allows for it? TESOL Pop captures that spark. Designed for the busy English language teacher, this mini podcast delivers compact, meaningful conversations with TESOL, TEFL, and ESL educators globally. Each episode is a focused interview, kept under fifteen minutes, packed with practical ideas and personal insights that can genuinely shift your approach in the classroom. You’ll hear stories about career pivots, reflections on what actually works with students, and clever uses of technology, all shared in a casual, accessible tone. It’s the audio equivalent of a refreshing coffee break with a colleague who gets it. The podcast understands that profound professional development doesn’t always require a lengthy seminar; sometimes, a single, well-timed insight is enough to reinvigorate your teaching. By tuning in, you join a global conversation that feels both personal and immediately useful, making it easy to integrate new perspectives into your daily routine without overwhelming your calendar.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

TESOL Pop
Podcast Episodes
Teaching Legal English with Natasha Costello [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:30
Natasha Costello, co-author of Practical English Language Skills for Lawyers and a legal English educator, discusses career pathways to teaching legal English. In this episode, Natasha shares insights into learners' need…
A Disruptive Approach to Teaching and Materials with Tyson Seburn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:56
Author of How to Write Inclusive Materials, Tyson Seburn, talks about a disruptive approach to building greater empathy and inclusion in the language classroom. In this interview, Tyson walks through the five stages of t…
Coaching Language Learners to Success with Kerstin Cable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:39
Founder of Fluent Language, Kerstin Cable, discusses the difference between teaching and coaching. Kerstin walks through key elements of her language habit system, which focuses on a cycle of planning, tracking, reviewin…
Common Myths about Teaching Pronunciation with Emma Walker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:18
Founder of Pronunciation with Emma, Emma Walker, addresses myths surrounding teaching pronunciation, from misconceptions about the skills we need as teachers to common mixups between accent and pronunciation.Watch with c…
Choosing the Right Technology for Your Context with Charlie's Lessons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:23
Founder of Charlie's Lessons shares three key questions to remember when choosing technology for your teaching context.KEY TALKING POINTSCore Set of ToolsCharlie emphasises the significance of technology in his daily rou…
Going from Good to Great in Writing with Paul Duke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:55
Writing Tutor and Coach, Paul Duke, shares what distinguishes a good piece of writing from a great one and how coaching can help learners become great writers.KEY TALKING POINTSTeaching vs. Tutoring vs. CoachingPaul expl…
Using TV Shows in the Language Classroom with Samvidha Srinath [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:11
Teacher Samvidha Srinath talks about using clips from popular TV shows in her classes, the benefits it brings to her teenage learners, and how she uses the material in class.KEY TALKING POINTSAdvantages of Using Authenti…