This morning, I set out for an early walk in the forest — and immediately questioned my life choices when I realised it was much chillier than I’d expected. Shorts, it turns out, were a bit optimistic. But I love this time of year too much to let cold knees ruin it.

There’s something about spring in the forest that feels quietly magical. Especially the gorse — that impossibly vivid yellow, as if the bushes have decided to outshine the sun itself. When the sky is a clear, endless blue and the light catches the flowers just right, they actually seem to glow. Today was one of those days: crisp and cold, yes, but the sun was shining, the sky was cloudless, and the gorse was putting on a show.

What I hadn’t realised until recently -  and I’ve lived near Ashdown Forest most of my life - is that gorse doesn’t just look like sunshine. It smells like it too. A friend pointed it out to me not long ago, and now I can’t not notice it: the flowers have this warm, coconutty scent that’s uncannily similar to Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen. I mean, who knew the forest could smell like a beach holiday? One deep breath and suddenly I was on a sun-lounger in July, not shivering in early spring. It’s amazing what a little scent-memory can do - within minutes, I’d completely forgotten about the icy wind on my legs.

Of course, beyond the sensory delights (and seasonal wardrobe errors), there are real health perks to walking in the forest - and science backs it up. The Japanese even have a name for it: shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”. Spending time in woodland has been shown to lower stress, reduce blood pressure, and boost mood. Trees release natural chemicals called phytoncides, which help lower cortisol levels and bring on that glorious sense of calm.

Mentally, being in nature helps reset the brain. Forest walks have been linked to improved focus, better problem-solving, and reduced mental fatigue - probably because the forest doesn’t demand your attention the way your inbox does. There’s space to breathe, literally and figuratively.

Physically, too, it’s a bit of a hidden workout. The uneven trails of Ashdown offer more of a challenge than flat pavements, engaging all sorts of muscles you forgot you had. Add in a bit of sun exposure and you’re topping up your vitamin D - good for your bones, immune system, and general sense of being a functional human.

So really, today’s walk wasn’t just a peaceful moment in nature (though it was very much that). It was a little act of self-care, wrapped in coconut-scented air and golden blooms. Whether you go for the glowing gorse or the science-backed health boost, the forest has a way of giving back far more than it takes. Just might wear trousers next time...