Vivamost!

Health

Forest bathing: a healing gift – a journey to wholeness

Have you already heard of forest bathing? Read on and you will know what a forest bathing practice entails and why you should try it.

Forest bathing is one of the growing global self-care and wellbeing trends. And for a good reason: it’s been scientifically proven that spending time outdoors or with natural beings can make you happier and healthier.

But what is forest bathing, how can it be practiced and what kind of benefits can you expect when immersing yourself in it?

photo copyright Beáta Szablics Your Nature Anew


Let’s take a closer look at the practice!

Forest bathing, a gift to tackle modern life related issues

Forest bathing as we refer to it now originates back to Japan. It is a process called “shinrin yoku” that the Japanese government and scientists developed in the ‘80s to help the overworked, unhealthy, urbanized society to reclaim its life energy.

They based the practice on scientific research about what happens to the human body in a natural environment, away from the dust, noise, and harmful impact of artificial, city life. Since then, the positive body and mental health benefits have been worldwide recognized and supported with an ever-growing number of additional scientific work and feedback from those participating on forest bathing programs. The practice has also been shaped by practitioners around the world to expand the benefits beyond physical symptoms to positive social, behavioural, and environmental changes. Fundamentally, forest bathing builds on the healing power of trees and the chemicals they release into the air to protect and heal themselves, and consequently us too, when we breathe this air in. Research shows that the forest air helps the human body to mitigate health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart illnesses to mention a few, and generally improves the functioning of the immune system.

Besides, the trees, plants and animals remind us that our own existence is also rooted in nature and even if we are not conscious about it, our body positively reacts to natural settings and beings. When we bring our attention to the infinite ways the forests and nature offer us enjoyable and calming explorations through scents, colours, patterns, sights, sounds and touches, we notice that our body and heart immerse into the state of simply feeling right. We can say the practice taps into the here and now and leads us to a full body experience.

When we use our senses to explore our surroundings then nature helps to dissolve stress by connecting us to what is around us in the moment. This embodied present moment awareness supports us to relax and soothe our overworked and overstimulated body and mind.

Let the forest be your therapist

photo copyright Beáta Szablics Your Nature Anew

Many refer to forest bathing as forest therapy. However, during a forest bathing walk no therapeutic involvement is needed, it is not a medical practice in a classical form. The person who leads a forest bathing walk is not a therapist, but a guide, who helps participants to connect to the forest or any natural environment better. The innate wisdom and life energy of the Earth and its beings is present in the world around us in myriads of ways, we just simply need to be open to notice and receive their messages. During a walk the only intention is to connect with nature while actively communicating with the land and its beings, and mindfully cultivating presence through awakening all our senses. This gentle journey primarily focuses on the body experiencing what is and allowing the running mind to slow down and rest.

An intimate connection available for everyone

Forest bathing is an intimate connection to the natural world. It opens ways to let nature and the forest be the therapist, so healing can happen spontaneously and sometimes even unconsciously. As many other forms of activities, forest bathing is also a practice, which means the more time you dedicate to it, the more benefits you can harvest.

A forest bathing program is not an exercise, but an easy walk. Sometimes it is just a simple sit in one place! Therefore, it can be made accessible to everybody to enjoy the healing power of our home, nature. Each forest bathing walk is different because it is designed in partnership with the environment, with the forest and its beings, giving the opportunity to set out on a different wander each time.

photo copyright Beáta Szablics Your Nature Anew

Forest bathing, a journey to wholeness

As a result of forest bathing, we re-tune ourselves to the frequency of nature. The elevated awareness of our senses and our body helps us to return to our authentic self.

By re-exploring who we are in our body, we become more truly ourselves. By meeting our environment and all that lives in it with a different level of awareness and honesty, we remember where we come from, who we really are and how much we are part of the web of life.

This discovery can increase our capacity to see and love ourselves and other humans and non-human beings better, potentially manifesting positive changes in our lives. When we experience the beauty of existence and feeling alive, we learn to appreciate ourselves and others better. When you experience the healing power of nature, your appreciation will more likely grow and will empower and inspire you to restore relationships believed forgotten.

Good news! Almost any natural environment lends itself well for a forest bathing practice. You may think you need a lush forest to experience the gift of forest bathing. In reality, with careful guidance, even an urban park, a balcony or apartment with plants can show you the way back to nature and your healthier and happier self.

About the author:

Guest writer Beáta Szablics is a certified forest and nature therapy guide, yoga nidra instructor and the founder of Your Nature Anew. Her mission is to help everybody struggling with a busy lifestyle to find the calm within themselves and find ways to unwind and resource themselves through mindful practices of forest therapy and yoga nidra. Her programs are available in-person in Switzerland and online in English. Check out the upcoming events to find practical ways to bring more calmness, focus and serenity to your everyday life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.