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How Forest Bathing Improves your Health
Or what the Japanese do to cleanse their mind and body
We’ve all heard how spending time in nature can be a spiritual refresher.
Japan has been promoting forest bathing originally known as shinrin-yoku, since the 1980s as a preventive health care practice to combat stress, insomnia, depression and more. (Google). It is now recommended by the Japanese Government for its citizens to spend a minimum amount of time each month forest bathing by walking in nature be it a city park or trusty wood (sorry it just reminded of a song).
Being around nature and letting our senses feel the effects, has a positive impact on our health. Our breathing, seeing, feeling, smelling all nature has to give acts like a natural tranquilizer.
I think a lot of us already know that being in nature is good for the soul. Turns out it helps with our physical as well as mental health.
So, the next time you walk in nature, think of it as forest bathing and leave your squirrelly thoughts at home. Try “seeing” the trees, even hugging them and appreciate all that they give to the world just by being steadfastly there.
It’s really about being present in the present
— Tamberly Conway, CEO of Conservation Conexions
