April has been designated as Stress Awareness Month. The intent of this global month-long event is to improve understanding of the causes and symptoms of stress, as well the importance of prioritizing stress relief and mitigation as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes generous levels of mental self-care. April also includes Earth Day. Today we cover a topic that directly relates to both: Forest Bathing.
But before we dive in, in other news: A gentle reminder. The clock is ticking!
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Get In Touch with Nature and Rejuvenate Your Soul
You may have read about “Grounding” (also known as “Earthing”). Earthing is about doing things that bring you in direct contact with, well, the earth. Things like walking barefoot, gardening, etc.
Who doesn’t love walking barefoot on the beach and getting their hands dirty in soil, right?
Many believe contact with the earth is good for our health. Most researchers have concluded it has to do with electrical charges emitted from the earth’s surface. As a result, earthing helps improve our immune response, soothes inflammation and even lessens our perception of pain.
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing is another way we can enjoy Mother Nature’s environment and be healthier and feel better at the same time. And no, there is no soap or water involved!
It’s not enough to just be near trees. Forest bathing (also known as forest therapy) involves meditating, or just being still with our thoughts in a forest or near a group of trees.
The more we can focus on the sounds, smells, and sights within the forest, the more effective forest bathing becomes.
Just sitting on a log near a wooded path for 10 minutes or so can be enough to soak up some forest bathing goodness.
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Results of Forest Bathing
The results of forest bathing may include lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, improved wound healing and immune response, just to name a few.
Forest bathing has also been found to reduce the incidence of depression and helps to ease anxiety.
There are also potentially benefits to children with autism.
Just taking a slow stroll through the woods and communing with nature are beneficial.
But there are also ways to take forest bathing to an entirely different level.
In fact, there are trained, certified guides who can help you experience forest therapy to its fullest.
One association has over 600 guides who are trained or in the process of becoming certified.
These forest guides include people from all walks of life, including but not limited to medical doctors, therapists and coaches.
The History of Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is not new. It’s based on a practice developed in Japan in the 1980s known as shinrin-yoku.
It’s about taking in the full experience of the forest. Being present enough to experience the fullness of all our senses: the sights, sounds, textures, smells.
Some researchers believe the benefits are in part due to substances emitted by trees and plants, but the findings are not conclusive.
Trained guides can help maximize the experience, but forest bathing is something we can all enjoy on our own, too.
So why not spend some time among the trees today?
If you enjoyed this article, you’ll also love: Sound Bathing: How to Use It to Transform Your Life.
You may also enjoy Walking Meditation: How to Make the Most of It.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
6 Responses
Yes! It absolutely works!
I LOVE this! I’m actually writing a book that takes a lot of this into account!
Thanks so much for sharing! I’d love to read your book when it’s finished.
Thank you! It’s a work in progress but I’ll keep you updated!
I love that you’ve mentioned this. I’m fortunate enough to live in a beautiful forest in England and it’s such an amazing place to be.
I frequently feel ungrounded as I’m an empath who works online (!) so I feel so blessed that I can go outside my back door and walk on grass barefoot then hang out with the trees.
Even doing errands feels like a pleasure around here because of the breathtaking scenery. Some therapists here are taking to the outdoors for their appointments. It can feel less intimidating for clients, especially trauma clients, when walking side by side rather than sitting face to face. And of course, you have all the wonderful healing power of nature around you too.
Now more than ever we need to tap into this resource, recognising the trees and ground for all that they do to support our mental and physical wellbeing.
Thank you so much for reading, and for your comment, Rachelle. I agree, having therapy outdoors creates an amazing alternative setting.