Forest Bathing
Enter a beautiful forest. Breathe in fully and deeply, and breathe out. Notice the surroundings with all of your senses. Walk slowly and mindfully. This is the medicine from being in a forest.
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku in Japanese, is the healing practice of simply walking in a forest or natural area in a relaxed and present way. This particular therapy was first developed and used in Japan in the 1980s as a form of preventive and healing healthcare. The mental, emotional and physical benefits of spending time in nature can be intuitively known and felt, but the research on the effects these practices on our health is even more compelling. Forest bathing can lower stress, improve immunity, improve mood, increase energy, improve sleep quality, reduce depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve creativity, hone intuition, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). Feeling connected to nature in a mindful way grounds us to our roots and makes life simple, even if only for a few moments. It gives us the time and space to connect deeply to ourselves and to the world around us.
My own life was drastically altered when I first discovered these practices (as parts of "ecotherapy") during my graduate studies in England. This Florida girl was not used to the cold, dark, damp days of Winter in the U.K. and I fell into a deep depression during this time. The practice that began healing my mood and lifting me from this dark place was simply beginning to spend mindful time in nature, even in the middle of London. I began walking leisurely through the park on my way to work and noticing the birds chirping and the different types of plants and grasses. On weekends I began seeking out large green spaces in the city to take walks and hikes. I had always known that I enjoyed nature, but during this time I had the revelation that nature is what heals us- especially from the stressful environment of living in a big city.
Since then, nature has been my refuge and my medicine when the stress of modern life seems overwhelming. Time in the forest recharges my batteries and is my favorite way to prevent burnout and low mood as well as increase inspiration, creativity, happiness and a deep sense of wellbeing. Forest bathing is a way to re-connect to the simple beauty of life and provides a sense of peace, healing and connection to the heart and soul.
To practice forest bathing:
Simply walk calmly and gently through a wooded area or green space (urban green spaces are great when you need instant stress relief), engaging all the senses. Breathe in and out slowly and mindfully. Act as if you are experiencing nature for the first time- taking in the beauty of the surroundings, the colors, the smells, the feelings on your skin, the sounds of the breeze, birds and creatures. There is no need to rush. Simply focus on observing and being aware of what is around you.