Imagine being immersed in the quiet sounds of a forest, breathing in the “green” air of the living canopies that protect you. This meditative experience is called forest bathing, and is inspired by Japan’s shinrin-yoku, a practice developed in the 1980s that means literally “forest bath.” This experience, considered a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine, is more about “being” than “doing.” This intimate exchange with nature has grown into a global wellness practice that promises to rejuvenate, refresh, revive, and relax those who give it a try.
According to the website www.shinrin-yoku.org, the research-proven benefits of this immersion into nature include reduced stress, a boosted immune system, improved sleep, and accelerated recovery from illness or surgery. Those who practice regular forest bathing claim deeper focus, clearer intuition, increased energy, and an overall improved sense of well-being. And it’s simple to try: find a forest, walk slowly, breathe deeply, open all your senses to the experience, and let yourself be washed in the forest bath.