Forest Bathing: Reconnecting with Nature for Health and Happiness
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
What’s your favorite way to enjoy nature? Whether it’s hiking through the mountains, walking on the beach, or camping in a state park, spending time in nature can be rejuvenating. But have you ever tried forest bathing?
Forest bathing, known as shinrin-yoku in Japan, is a practice that involves connecting with nature using all five senses. Dr Qing Li, Chairman of the Japanese Society for Forest Medicine, describes this beneficial practice in his book Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness.
Since Japan introduced a national health program for forest bathing in 1982, numerous studies have shown the health benefits of this practice. A 2-hour forest bath can lead to:
· Lowered stress levels
· Reduced blood pressure
· Improved concentration and memory
· Enhanced immune system function
· Elevated mood
· Better cardiovascular and metabolic health
· Increased creativity and problem solving
This practice does not require a Japanese forest to be effective – it can be done anywhere there are trees! Simply find a spot with trees, disconnect from your devices, and immerse yourself in nature using all your senses:
· Sight: Observe the trees, plants, insects, and flowers around you.
· Sound: Listen to the birds singing, water running, and leaves rustling.
· Smell: Inhale the scent of honeysuckle, pine, and other natural fragrances.
· Touch: Feel the grass, dirt, water, moss, and bark beneath your skin.
· Taste: Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy edible plants if you’re certain they’re safe to eat.
You can choose to walk, sit, or lie down. Take off your shoes and connect with the earth through grounding. Make your forest bathing experience personal by incorporating activities like yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, art creation, or bathing in hot springs. In Japan, forest bathing often concludes with a tea brewed from the forest’s leaves and flowers.
Dr. Li recommends aiming for a 4-hour forest bathing season, but even 2 hours can provide significant benefits. Research indicates that increased natural killer (NK) cell activity following forest bathing can last for up to thirty days, making it a natural immune system booster even with just monthly outings.
Between forest bathing sessions, you can enhance your connection to nature by walking barefoot in your yard, surrounding yourself with indoor plants, exercising outdoors, using grounding mats indoors, gazing out the window frequently, playing outdoor sounds, and enjoying photographs or videos of nature. Whether you’re in a lush forest or your own backyard, embracing the healing power of nature can profoundly impact your well-being.
For more information, explore these websites:
Healthy Parks Healthy People https://www.hphpcentral.com/
Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs https://www.anft.earth/
One Square Inch https://onesquareinch.org/