These days, life is overwhelming for many.
Workloads exceed what we can handle.
Layoffs. Politics. Caring for children…and parents. And so much more.
We each have our own set of challenges.
One activity that can provide benefits to all is shinrin-yoku. Forest bathing.
This is a Japanese practice that involves spending time in nature, specifically forests.
The purpose is to improve physical and mental well-being.
Think of it as therapy merged with mindfulness.
What creates this forest bath?
The beauty of the forest bath is that it is accessible and can be done anywhere in nature.
A forest. A park. A garden. Or even your own backyard.
The experience is immersive. Engaging you fully with all your senses.
Once we select our location, we move at a slow, mindful pace.
We pay attention to the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the environment around us.
We can notice the feel of the sun and breeze. The smell of the trees. The sounds of nature.
Once immersed, it’s time to relax and breathe deeply.
Go slow. Notice the world around you. And see what flows in. Peace. Creativity. Clarity.
Benefits of Forest Bathing
Studies have shown that time in nature has both mental and physical health benefits.
The forest bath can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance focus, and increase creativity.
On the physical front, we get an immune system boost and improvements to sleep and heart rate.
These immersive sessions can be a great time to practice silence and reflection.
Incorporating regular forest walks into our routine can be simple yet powerful.
Improving our overall health and well-being.
Your Turn
Have you ever taken a forest bath?
Does the practice seem interesting to you?
How could you work shinrin-yoku into your plans for the week ahead?