Wellness Series: Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)

Forest bathing, or nature bathing, is a practice that involves mindfully spending time in a forest to soak in the atmosphere through your senses. The two-hour practice encourages you to wander slowly, breathe deeply, and observe the sights, sounds, and scents of nature without a specific goal. It is known to help lower stress and boost mood.

What is forest bathing? This Japanese practice is a process of relaxation, known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you while breathing deeply can help both adults and children de-stress, and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way. Forest bathing tips for beginners Bring a blanket! 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, hear and feel more. Take long breaths deep into the abdomen. Extending the exhalation of air to twice the length of the inhalation sends a message to the body that it can relax. Stop, stand or sit and smell what’s around you. What can you smell? Ways to connect with nature Take in your surroundings using all of your senses. How does the forest environment make you feel? Be observant, look at nature’s small details. Sit quietly using mindful observation; try to avoid thinking about your to-do list or issues related to daily life. You might be surprised by the number of wild forest inhabitants you see using this process. Keep your eyes open. The colors of nature are soothing and studies have shown that people relax best while seeing greens and blues. Stay as long as you can. Start with a comfortable time limit and build up to the recommended two hours for a complete forest bathing experience. Record your experiences to help you reflect and remember at a later time. Who is forest bathing suitable for? Forest bathing exercises can be great fun for adults and children alike, and useful in teaching concentration and mindfulness, while also providing an excellent opportunity to learn from each other. We advise adult supervision while practicing forest bathing with children. Watch out for brambles and stinging nettles as these are present in woodlands and forests. Source credit, https://www.forestryengland.uk/blog/forest-bathing