‘Shinrin Yoku’ : Nature's Therapy or Forest Bathing.
What is it? Its benefits and steps to have nature's therapy session without spending a dime!
Hey everyone!
With my disappearance, I spent time writing this new & refreshing topic that I’m sure not many know of, Shinrin Yoku; another wonderful benefit of forests
We all know the magnificent benefits of forests; in how they provide us with food, raw materials, shelter for other species apart from humans, their medicinal uses, etc.
Apart from all these, did you know that they also aid in improving our mental well-being too?
Taking a peaceful walk amongst trees and immersing yourself within the forest or nature is known as Forest Bathing or ‘Shinrin Yoku’. It is a term invented in 1982, in Japan and is based on ancient Shinto and Buddhist practices encouraging the body to allow nature to guide the 5 senses of seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. Tomohide Akiyama of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Wildlife and Fisheries coined this term in response to a public health crisis – seeing the high levels of stress in the workforce. It was also an economic project to revitalize the economy and value of the countryside that was suffering from the mass migration of people from rural areas to the cities (ianbanyard.com).
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Something about nature just calms our nerves, is refreshing to be within. Poets or musicians have attributed their works to nature as their source of inspiration whether it is going on a road trip or just being amongst trees. But what is the reason or science behind this?
According to Forest Bathing Central, trees release an organic compound called Phytoncides. These chemicals protect the tree from harmful bacteria and fungi and in turn are also beneficial to humans by being responsible for boosting immunity, stress reduction, and increase in one's Happy’ hormones. Most of the original essential oils used in spas, and treatment centers all come from Phytoncides! They’re the chemicals that have cancer-fighting proteins that destroy the tumor and virus-ridden cells in humans. This is a reason visits to the forests are advised for recovering patients or as a preventive healthcare strategy in hospitals.
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Currently, policymakers, employers, and healthcare practitioners worldwide are beginning to consider the human need for nature in how they plan and operate. In addition, forests and trees are beneficial to school children. An article by the National Library of Medicine (NIH) showed that children exposed to nature had improved cognitive functioning (including increased concentration, greater attention capacities, and higher academic performance), better motor coordination, reduced stress levels, increased social interaction with adults and other children, and improved social skills.
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Employers who are unable to devote time for workers to regularly immerse themselves in nature or forest walks, invest in creating biophilic and sustainably designed workspaces to closely mimic the same effects had within a forest. A workspace that mimics the outdoors helps to increase productivity and mental stimulation, and reduce stress levels among the workers.
So how do you Forest Bathe?
Well, as someone whose work predominantly involved being within nature or forest trails, you get used to sitting still. Sometimes, it was my go-to hide-out when work or peers got overwhelming. I’d just walk into the forest and sit down. My phone is by my side, in silent mode and I just take in deep breaths while scanning through the forest. I take account of what I am seeing; whether it is a dragonfly floating through the forest or a bird chirping and a slow breeze making the trees sway. The smells of fresh moist earth along with the sights of beautiful browns and greens painted all around the forest. All of these automatically make me calm and can get lost in there for close to an hour before everyone would call me about my whereabouts. That is basically how you take Forest baths; the key is to be present in the forest, with no distractions or cameras. It is why people love to meditate in the forest. One always comes out more refreshed and calmer. Doing this once a week, or 4 times a month is enough for you to feel changes in your mood and overall physical and mental wellbeing.
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Unable to get to a park, here is the next best thing; a concise video to practice Forest Bathing (nature therapy) in your home. So why not try it? Let me know in the comments if you have had one yet and are about to. How did it make you feel? I’d love to hear all about it! For more intel on our environment, why not subscribe to mean greenie and share it?
Thank you..... This is a very time appropriate article for all of us. With so much of stress in our lives today, this method of de-stressing is excellent and economically viable.