Forest Bathing

Forest bathing "shinrin (forest)-yoku (bath)" is the term coined by the Japanese in the 1980's to help describe the physicological and pyscological exercise of taking time to enjoy nature and absorb the forest atmosphere. The idea is to encourage individuals to reconnect with the environment, protect the forests and reduce the technology burnout.  Forest bathing has since become recognized as a form of eco therapy and is gaining popularity across the globe.  

To properly perform forest bathing you need to immerse yourself fully in your surroundings using all your senses.  Focus in on what you can touch, taste, sight, smell and hear.  See the lush green canopy of the leaves atop the thick trunk of the gnarly trees, touch the roughness of the bark and notice the sensations in your fingertips. Become aware of the spongy moss and lichen on the irregular shaped rocks littering the stoney path as you carefully place each foot in front of the other with each step.  Feel the soft warmth of the sunlight on your skin and gentle breeze caressing your face. Hear the wind whistle through the branches, the rustle of leaves, the sound of bird song, the water running through streams and the gentle crunch of the of grass beneath the feet. Smell the sweet scent of the spring flowers or the smell of damp earth all around you.  Taste the freshness in the oxygen filled air with every breath.  Walk without the desire to actually get anywhere, instead follow the intention of just being in the moment and taking in all that nature has to offer you. 

The benefits of forest bathing are thought to be many, including stress reduction as well improvements in immune function, pulmonary function, mood disorders (anxiety and depression) and cardiovascular health with reduction in blood pressure.  Ideally it is suggested you should try to spend about two hours forest bathing to receive the benefits, however the there is little scientific evidence to support actually optimum duration and frequency.  I personally believe that any time spent surrounding yourself in nature is time well spent, so don't let a lack of time deter you taking a shorter walk in the woods if's that's all that fits your schedule. 

Over time you may find that you develop a desire for a certain area that you feel a strong connection to, or a particular area that evokes the  strongest feelings of joy and calm.  This may be associated with environment that appeals to you on a subconscious sensory level, or anything from a scenery reminiscent from a cherished childhood memory, a favourite footpath, a special waterfall, or a spectacular viewpoint. Yoga asana and mediation can also be undertaken in quiet woodland space.   Sequences based on the root chakra and grounding poses would work well in the is environment to realign oneself with Mother Earth. Engage in a seated or moving mindful mediation focusing on your senses. 

If you are comfortable in the forest why not exploring some barefoot work and reconnect to the earth for the added benefits provided by grounding/earthing. This is the therapeutic technique that involves electrically exchanging charges with the earth's surface electrons, with the purpose of stabilizing the body on the deepest physiology at the deeper level. Both grounding/earthing and the barefoot movement are two other areas of growing interest for integrating health and wellness into modern living, although the details are outside the scope of this blog.  

Not only do trees in a forest provide us with oxygen, they are actually interconnected. They share water and nutrients and it is believed they can communicate with each other through special networks that scientists call mycorrhizal networks, they can send distress signals to one another about drought and disease, insects attacks and alter their behaviour accordingly. They are truly awesome.

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