Forest Bathing is a Japanese practice referred to as shinrin-yoku. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.”
Returning to Mother Nature is an easy way to bring restorative and healing energy into our lives and bodies. Being surrounded by nature, trees, flowers, and wildlife has a way of slowing our breathing and connecting us to the earth. The sounds and scents, whether it is feeling the warm heat of sunlight on our skin or the cool winter air, helps us clear our minds and fill us with a sense of comfort. We leave the experience feeling rejuvenated and uplifted.
This is not exercise while outdoors. All that is required is to be present, or mindful, in nature and allow each of your senses to take in your surroundings. It is meant to be leisurely instead of vigorous, which is perfect for people living with cancer who don’t always feel up to a lot of physical effort.
Forest Bathing allows you to take a break from technology, de-stress, and relax. So leave your phone at home, take your time, open your mind and heart and savour the beauty of nature.
You can “Forest Bathe” anywhere, it doesn’t have to be a forest! It could be a park, a beach, a garden. As long as you are out, connecting with nature, that’s really the only key.
For those interested, I came across this book, “Forest Bathing” by Dr. Quing Li. I have not had an opportunity to read it yet but I do intend to.