Forest Bathing

Yes, you read that right - forest bathing!!! Doesn’t that sound nice? I don’t know how you feel about it, but I am up for forest bathing any day! (except maybe when the pollen is super high) And why? Well, it is a Japanese-originated practice that reduces stress and increases resilience, and it is so easy and fun to do. All you need is a forest (or some trees) and your presence. I say ocean/sea bathing is a solid substitute if the forest is not available. As a matter of fact, any natural environment will do.

The key here is exposure to nature and using nature to practice mindfulness. Yes, I am big on mindfulness as I know it to be a key to wellness. Mindfulness is easier to practice in certain environments, and nature is one of the places where mindfulness comes without much effort. All you have to do is slow down (literally, stop moving), attune to your surroundings, and take some deep breaths. Notice small details around you, pay attention to the natural sounds. Maybe even take off your shoes and socks and feel the ground beneath your feet. Engage your sense of smell. Take a few more deep breaths. Ahhhh….. You are forest bathing!!

This type of practice has huge health benefits in terms of impact on your parasympathetic nervous system. To put it in other terms, your overall body-mind state is more balanced and resilient. These practices create lasting changes for mental and physical health, and I encourage you to incorporate some form of regular forest bathing into your life. Ideally, I would go out to the Smoky Mountains every day and breathe in the freshness and magnificence of the mountains and the forest. Maybe even hike the entirety of the Pacific Crest Trail. But I can’t. I have an office job in the city. So I do what I can. I get out into the closest forest on the weekend for at least a couple of hours. I wear barefoot shoes to feel the connection with Mother Earth. What little things can you do?