Forest Bathing, Shrinrin Yoku

Forest Bathing: A Free and Potent Medicine

by Sandra J. Howe

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.” 
― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Have you wandered in a forest recently? Left people, buildings, street lights, and cell phone behind. Taken time to look, listen, smell and feel the abundant life around you. Sat quietly under a tree. If it has been a while since you indulged this way, you are missing out on some wonderful health benefits. Time spent in nature can reduce stress, uplift mood, improve memory and focus, and boost immunity. Now that's good medicine!

The term “Forest Bathing” comes from the Japanese, Shinrin Yoku, a practice of walking or resting mindfully in an outdoor setting. It can be done as a moving or sitting meditation with focus on sensory information: How does the tree bark feel? How does the air taste? Are there creatures scampering nearby? This kind of paying attention to immediate, natural stimuli relaxes our bodymind, reducing stress levels and improving mental health. Around the world researchers are discovering the amazing benefits of daily immersion in nature.

Saints and sages through the ages have offered insights into the essential value of engaging with the natural world. St. Francis learned lessons in spirituality from wild creatures. Thoreau wrote eloquently of the human need for outdoor contact. Rachel Carson said, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” John Muir, considered as “Father of National Parks”, insisted on our need to preserve wilderness areas for human well-being. Richard Louv, in his book “Last Child in the Woods”, coined the phrase “Nature Deficit Disorder” to describe the human cost of alienation from the natural world.

Science is now proving what our great teachers have always said. Humans need time in nature to stay healthy and happy. A recent study at Tokyo's Nippon Medical School found that women who spent 6 hours hiking in the woods over 2 days showed increased levels of virus- and tumor-fighting white blood cells, and that the increase lasted for up to 7 days. England's Walking for Health Program has demonstrated improved health for thousands of participants at very low cost. The evidence is very clear: Walking in nature is good for us and feels good too!

In Grey-Bruce we are particularly blessed with opportunities to get outdoors in natural spaces. You can join a Bruce Trail hike, take a family stroll in Harrison Park, explore county forests, or wander through a local conservation area. You can go alone or with a group. But take your time, turn off your phone, breathe fresh air, and be grateful. Walking in nature will add beauty and bounty to your life. Forest bathing is a free and potent medicine. Get yours today!