Natural Health & Environment News – Forest Bathing in Japan
Photo via CBC, Canada
Today, I’m going to focus on an interesting Japanese concept called Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku).
(No, you don’t wash in the forest!). 😀
All over the world, people have moved into big cities. In Japan, many stress factors started appearing in society in the 1980s and it was thought this was due to not being close to Nature any more.
Because stress is a trigger for so many illnesses, the Japanese have come up with a unique solution. Small groups of people are led into forests and they are shown how to immerse themselves in Nature, using all their 5 senses.
Participants say they feel more alive, more protected, more calm and more aware. Forest bathing puts their worries into perspective, which helps them to stay relaxed.
Well, that’s great – if you live in Japan.
Although the concept IS spreading to many countries, it’s not always easy to find a large forest nearby, nor doctors skilled in forest bathing.
Here are some tips for times when you can go into a forest.
- Turn off your devices to give yourself the best chance of relaxing, being mindful and enjoying a sensory forest-based experience.
- Slow down. Move through the forest slowly so you can see and feel more.
- Take long, deep breaths.
- Stop, stand or sit. Smell what’s around you, what can you smell? What can hear and see?
If you can’t get to a forest, is there anything else you can do instead?
Well, about the closest thing I can think of to forest bathing is Yoga. When you practice Yoga poses, you have to focus on yourself. True, it’s not quite as nice as being deep in a forest. But if you also practice a little meditation, you will soon be able to imagine the sights, sounds and smells of a lovely forest. (And that’s a lot more enjoyable than sitting in rush-hour traffic).
(And if you’re really lucky and can go to a forest, you could combine forest bathing with a short easy yoga session for the ultimate back-to-Nature-for-healing experience!)
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the further we remove ourselves from Nature, the worse off we are. For so many reasons.
If, like me, you can’t easily get to a lovely peaceful forest, consider calming Yoga as an alternative. Personally, I’m simply not able to twist myself into some of the more complex poses, but I love the simple stretches and I always feel better afterwards.
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Warm regards,
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Note – this article was oringally published on 26 February, 2020 and has been updated in July 2024