Forest bathing (therapy)
Forest bathing, also known as forest therapy or shinrin-yoku, is the practice of immersing oneself in a wooded area to experience potential health benefits. Originating in Japan in the 1980s, the term translates to "forest bath," reflecting the idea of soaking in the natural environment through the senses. As urbanization has increased, the practice has gained traction as a way to reconnect with nature, particularly for those living in cities with limited access to green spaces.
Participants engage in a leisurely exploration of the forest, focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells around them without the distractions of technology. This can involve observing details in nature, such as tree bark textures or bird songs, fostering a sense of presence and mindfulness. While some studies indicate potential benefits like stress reduction and relaxation, the scientific evidence is mixed, and outcomes may vary. Guided forest-bathing experiences have become popular, offering structured activities to enhance the experience. Overall, forest bathing is seen as a simple yet profound way to promote well-being through a deeper connection with the natural world.
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Forest bathing (therapy)
Forest bathing is the practice of spending time in a wooded area with the expectation that it will provide health benefits. It is also known as forest therapy, nature therapy, or shinrin-yoku, which is its Japanese name. The concept is an old one but has evolved into a deliberate activity in contemporary times, especially as more people live in areas without easy access to the wilderness.
Forest bathers spend time in the forest, taking in the environment around them with all five senses. While it can be an individual practice, businesses catering to people who want a guided experience have also developed. Practitioners believe forest bathing reduces stress and can have other health benefits, though scientific studies into these benefits have yielded conflicting results.
Overview
For centuries, people have intuitively felt better after spending time in nature. However, as cities grew and society became more industrialized, people had fewer opportunities for outdoor activities. Some people recognized this problem in the nineteenth century, which led to the inclusion of green spaces in plans for cities and towns. The movement to create national parks in the twentieth century also recognized the need to preserve natural spaces.
In Japan in the 1980s, some health practitioners began to focus on the potential benefits of intentionally spending time in wooded areas. They believed that the practice of slowly walking through wooded areas and taking in the surroundings with the senses could be a way to counter the hours their patients spent in indoors working with technology. They called the practice shinrin-yoku, which literally translates to “forest bath.” Since that time, a number of businesses devoted to creating guided forest-bathing experiences and centers designed to train forest-bathing guides have been established around the world.
Forest bathing is a relatively simple practice. It is not formal exercise, and it is not as involved as hiking or camping, though it can be incorporated into those activities. Instead, people spend a few hours or a few days in the wilderness, focusing on the natural elements around them. This can include observing the patterns in tree bark or feeling its texture, taking in the colors or patterns of light, or absorbing the sounds made by natural sources, such as birds singing or leaves rustling.
Individuals can forest bathe by finding a wooded area and leaving behind or shutting off personal technology devices, such as cell phones. Forest bathing experts recommend walking slowly without a specific goal in mind. Instead, forest bathers should follow any interesting sights, smells, or sounds and see where the experience leads them.
In many areas, guided forest-bathing experiences are available. A guide leads a group into the woods and suggests activities to help the forest bathers fully experience their environment. These activities can include specific tasks, such as studying a tree or tossing some seeds as a symbol of discarding worries and cares.
A number of studies on forest bathing have produced mixed results. Proponents claim that forest bathing promotes relaxation and helps a host of health problems, possibly because of phytoncides, which are natural compounds with aroma-therapeutic and antibacterial properties that are released by trees. Although study results on the healing properties of forest bathing are mixed, some health practitioners recommend the practice.
Bibliography
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