Have you heard of Forest Bathing? No, it does not involve taking a bath in the woods, but that does sound like fun. Think of a time when you were watching the sunset, or listening to the waves crash on the beach or sitting by a babbling stream. How did you feel??
Shinrin-Yoku, is a Japanese word that literally translates into forest bathing or taking in the forest through all of our senses. This practice is not the same as going out for a run or a hike through the woods. The purpose of forest bathing is to intentionally connect with nature to enhance health, wellness and happiness.
First developed in the 1980's in Japan, it has now become an increasingly important part of Japanese preventative care and therapeutic healing. In fact, the Japanese government has spent the past decades researching the health benefits of forest bathing and developing green spaces in urban areas. The evidence continues to mount that spending time in nature is incredibly therapeutic for us.
Japanese doctors prescribe forest bathing to their patients as an antidote to our unnatural, unhealthy lives spent indoors. On average, most Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Forest bathing works to balance out our stressful, hurried lives with quiet meditative time away from the overstimulation.
Forest bathing, a form of nature therapy, has become more popular in recent years because of its many evidence based health benefits. "Leisurely forest walks, compared with urban walks, show a 12.4 percent decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, a seven percent decrease in sympathetic nerve activity, a 1.4 percent decrease in blood pressure, and a 5.8 percent decrease in heart rate." (source)
Supports a Healthy Immune System. Studies have found those who forest bathe show an increased number of NK (natural killer) cell. Plants and trees emit substances called phytoncides when they feel threatened to support their immune system. Our bodies respond to these fragrances similarly by increasing our own NK (natural killer) cells as well as decreasing cortisol levels. NK cells attack viruses and even fight cancer. With over 100 different phytoncides that can be detected in the forest, next time you are in the great outdoors take a deep breath and give gratitude!
Improved Overall Mood, Decreasing Depression and Anxiety. According to studies comparing subjects that walked in the woods with those who walked in urban areas, results showed a greater decrease in the stress hormone cortisol among those who walked through the forest. Similar results were found with subjects shown forest scenes. "The average concentration of salivary cortisol, a stress hormone, in people who gazed on forest scenery for 20 minutes was 13.4 percent lower than that of people in urban settings." (source). That is pretty powerful!
Reduced Inflammation: Inflammation is how our bodies respond to threats. Those who live with chronic illness typically experience some form of inflammation. Those with autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, depression and cancer can benefit from time spent in nature.
I challenge you to find time this week to connect with nature. What does that look like for you? How much time do you have? Do a little self-reflecting before, during and after without placing any judgement on your thoughts.
"Take a walk in the trees and smell the wild air. Nature's ability to heal is greater than anyone has permitted you to believe." Unknown
Forest bathing is an evidence-based wellness practice. Forest Bathing is an Evidence-based wellness practice. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2022, from https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/about/the-science
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