Nature has been humankind’s best friend through all these years. A walk in the park can do wonders to one’s body; camping out in the woods could similarly have the same effect; and a tired farmer resting under a mango tree at midday goes back to his work full of energy and vitality. Smelling the flowers and the other scents emitted by the trees… they all give us a sense of comfort.
According to Dr. Qing Li (Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness. April 17, 2018/Viking), the key to unlocking the power of the forest is in the five senses. He adds, “In Japan, we practice something called forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku. Shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. It is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world.”
Here is how to do it (Qing Li): First you have to find a spot. Leave your phone and camera behind and walk aimlessly and slowly. Let your body be your guide, follow your nose, and take your time. Let nature enter through your eyes, nose, ears, mouth, hands and feet. You may opt to have a forest guide or none. Listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling in the leaves of trees. Smell the fragrance of the forest and breathe in the natural aromatherapy of phytoncides. Dip your fingers or toes in the stream. Lie on the ground. Drink in the flavor of the forest and release your sense of joy and calm. This is your sixth sense, a state of mind. Now you have connected with nature. You have crossed the bridge to happiness. People do some of these when they ‘forest bathe’: forest walking, yoga, eating in the forest, hot spring therapy, T’ai chi, meditation, breathing exercise, aromatherapy, art classes, pottery, Nordic walking and plant observation.
The scientifically proven benefits of shinrin-yoku are: boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body’s Natural Killer (NK) cells; reduced blood pressure; reduced stress; improved mood; increased ability to focus even in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); accelerated recovery from surgery or illness; increased energy level; and improved sleep. (Shinrin-yoku. Org)
Forest bathing became part of a national public health program in Japan in 1982 when the forestry ministry coined the phrase shinrin-yoku and promoted topiary as a therapy. “The environments’ wisdom has long been evident to the culture: Japan’s Zen masters asked: If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears, does it make a sound?” To discover the answer, masters do nothing, and gain illumination. Forest bathing works in a similar way. No hiking, no counting steps on a Fitbit. Sit, meander, but the point is to relax rather than accomplish anything. One’s spirit is also rejuvenated by trees. (Ephrat Livni, The Japanese Practice of ‘Forest Bathing’ is scientifically proven to improve your health, Oct. 12, 2016).
Dr. Li says: “You can forest bathe anywhere in the world—wherever there are trees; in hot weather or in cold, in rain, sunshine, or snow. You don’t even need a forest. Once you have learned to do it, you can do shinrin-yoku anywhere—in a nearby park or in your garden. Look for a place where there are trees and off you go!”
John Muir wrote: “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home. Wilderness is a necessity.” (Shinrin-yoku.org)
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