LET THE FORESTS SOOTHE, NURTURE AND HEAL YOU. SOME OF THEIR BENEFITS ARE:

Reduced stress and anxiety: One of the most significant benefits of forest bathing is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Spending time in nature has a calming effect on the mind and body. Studies have shown that spending just a few hours there can lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, and decrease heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest can help us relax more.

I mproved immune function: Spending time in forests can also boost our immune system. Trees release chemicals called phytoncides, which have antimicrobial properties. Breathing in these chemicals increases the activity of natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell that helps fight off viruses and cancer. Additionally, being there can reduce inflammation, which is linked to a variety of health conditions, including autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and depression.

Increased creativity and focus: Research has shown that nature can enhance creativity and improve focus. A study conducted at the University of Michigan found that it improved performance on memory and attention tasks by 20%. Additionally, it can stimulate the imagination and inspire creative thinking.

Improved mood and mental health: A study conducted in Finland found that spending time in nature, particularly forests, was associated with a lower risk of depression. Additionally, a study conducted in Japan found that forest bathing was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression.

Improved sleep: ‘Bathing in Forests’ can also improve sleep quality. Exposure to natural light during the day can regulate our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, which is important for maintaining healthy sleep patterns. Additionally, it can reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with our sleeping patterns.

Tips

If you’re interested in trying forest bathing, here are some tips to get started:

Find a forest or other natural area that you enjoy. Leave your phone and other distractions behind. Find a comfortable spot to sit or lie down and take deep breaths. Consider guided forest bathing walks, which are led by trained professionals and can help you get the most out of your experience.

Here Are Some Suggested Ways To Reap The Benefits Of Nature

THROUGH YOUR SENSES:

Sight

Watch the sunlight filter through the leaves

Observe the movement of animals and insects

Notice the different shapes and sizes of leaves

Admire flowers blooming or the colours of spring

Take in the view of the surrounding scenery

Watch the peaceful flow of water in a stream

Smell

Savour the smell of the fresh forest air

Inhale the scent of pine needles

Smell the earthy scent of the forest floor

Notice the scent of wildflowers

Take in the aroma of herbs

Touch

Touch the softness of moss

Feel the coolness of a rock or stone

Walk barefoot on the forest floor to feel different textures

Hug a tree to feel its energy

Feel refreshed by a swim in a sparkling natural pool

Sound

Listen to the chirping of birds

Notice the sound of insects buzzing around

Listen to squirrels chattering in the branches

Enjoy the murmuring of a stream and the sound of trickling water

Hear the whispering of the wind in the trees

Taste

Bring along some forest fruits like berries and taste them

Sip on a cup of herbal tea made from forest plants

Pack trail mix for a quick snack - try and match the colours of nature from your pack

Bring a picnic basket filled with your favourite foods and enjoy them amidst the trees

Try freshly caught fish from a nearby lake

Sip on fresh water from a sparkling spring or stream

Drinking in the flavour of the forest can bring you joy and calm. In fact, there is no medicine you can take that has such a direct influence on your health as a walk in a beautiful forest.

Did You Know

In Japan, forest bathing is recognized as a form of preventative medicine and is covered by some health insurance plans. Forest bathing is not about exercise or hiking, but instead about immersing oneself in nature and being present in the moment. The positive effect of trees on people’s mental wellbeing lasts longer than short-term boosts to happiness.

As Frederick Law Olmstead once said,

“Enjoyment of scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it; tranquillises it and yet enlivens it, and thus, through the influence of the mind over the body, gives the effect of refreshing rest and reinvigoration to the whole system.”

Excerpts taken from: Forest Bathing: How trees can help you find health and happiness by Dr Qing Li

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET THERAPY FROM NATURE:

Go to the beach – take in the beauty of sunsets over the sea or the ebb and flow of the tides

Nurture the shrubs and flowers you’ve planted in your garden

Spend time with animals at a petting zoo or go on a game drive

Join a mountain hiking group

Take up birdwatching

Try your luck at fishing

Go camping. Nothing like sitting in front of a campfire

Be brave. Take up kayaking or canoeing

Try you hand at surfing or bodyboarding

Get fit by rock climbing

Try trail running

Go horse riding

Swim in crystal clear mountain pools

Take up nature photography

Paint or draw outdoors

Write or journal in a quiet field

Get out into the wild and gaze at the stars

Walk barefoot on grass

Listen to the sounds of nature on your computer, such as the falling of rain, birds song or the trickling of water, if you can’t get out

Keep dried lavender or other nice smelling herbs and plants in your home

Nature has a calming effect on the mind and body and can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve mood, boost cognitive function, and increase physical activity.

So why not get out there today? And let the healing power of nature revitalize and calm you.