The Benefits of Forest Bathing
And Why I Love It
If you would have told me when I was younger that everything I was doing, playing outside, being barefoot in the grass, going camping in the forest, was one day going to be considered a form of therapy, I would never have believed it. I probably also wouldn’t really have known what therapy was, but now that I do I can’t help but feel grateful that I had so many opportunities when I was younger to connect to nature and get some solid positive mental & physical vibes going strong.
Today I love being in the forest. I look forward to summer’s spent at the lake, autumn’s mushroom foraging, winter in being able to cross-country ski and snowshoe on the trails and in spring being able to hike new paths. I have always felt more calm and connected to my breath after being outdoors and even more so when I have been in the woods. Relaxed, refreshed, rejuvenated. The feeling of zen sums it up.
When I first heard about “forest bathing” I wasn’t sure if it was a serious concept. People specifically going into nature to disconnect, to reconnect, to find peace and healing. It seemed odd to me that there would be a term coined for simply going out into the woods. Little did I realize that the reason there was a term for being among the trees is because of how beneficial it is to our health. Mental and physical health benefits greatly from being outdoors and even more so being surrounded by wilderness.
The entire concept around forest bathing comes from the Japanese practice called shirin yoku, and has been a long practiced form of therapy and healing. Not only does your mind feel better, but so does your physical and spiritual self. The health benefits of being in the forest range from lowering cortisol to helping boost your immunity to simply improving mood. Studies have shown that walking in the woods twice for two hours a day (4 in total) can help improve the bodies immune system along with improving levels of stress and decreasing anxiety and depression. People who spend time in the forest have greater levels of cancer-killing proteins and immune cells and are breathing in oxygen-rich air that supports and benefits better quality brain function. The list of benefits truthfully goes on, all examples of ways we can take advantage of our beautiful parks and forests. Especially here in Canada where the forests are plentiful.
I am such a huge advocate of getting out to enjoy the natural world, especially as it is a luxury so many of us take for granted. 56% of the world’s population live in urban areas making it hard to get in forest time which is why when it’s literally in our back yards and stress/anxiety are on the rise we should be prioritizing time outside. The trees aren’t going to live forever, and unfortunately too much of industry disregards the natural world, so get outdoors while it’s available, participate in nature and get accustomed to making it a habit to get up, get dressed, go outside and walk amongst the trees. All you have to do is breathe, get off your phone and benefit.
And in a world where addictions to technology, stress and an algorithm that favours divisiveness and angst, it’s the cheapest therapy around.