If your life is stressful, I have a suggestion ― Forest Bathing.
Have you ever heard of the word “Forest Bathing (森林浴)”?
It is just being in a forest, and let yourself out in what trees release.
Forest Bathing was introduced in 1982 by the Japanese government, which aimed to encourage people to appreciate the beauty of nature and to plant forests.
Study shows forest bathing reduces stress level.
This is what Mr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki, Professor at Chiba University, said.
Human beings spent 99.99% of their time in nature out of 5 million years of history. Human beings got out of nature only recently. Therefore, we feel stress when we are not connected to nature, while we feel relaxed when we are connected to nature. Being in a forest will reduce our stress and enhance our immune function.
There are two materials in forests, which help to reduce our stress level. Phytoncides and negative air ion. Phytoncides is a chemical, which trees release, and it has a sterilizing power. Negative air ion is also released from trees. There is a lot of negative air ion in the spray from a waterfall. That is why we feel so relaxed when we are near a waterfall.
Prof. Miyazaki said,
People who are stressed and are tired can enhance their immune system by the power of forests. Forests don’t have the power to cure diseases, but they can help to prevent diseases.
Then, what do we do in forest bathing?
We don’t have to do anything. We just go to a forest and walk around. Or you even don’t have to walk around. Just be there.
If you want to explore a bit more, you can do the following things.
1. Find your boyfriend tree, touch and hug it
Find one tree you love and touch and hug it. That is your boyfriend tree.
Trees have power. You will feel the power and you can get the power by touching and hugging the tree. Did you know a tree is communicating with other trees?
2. Observe plants, insects, and birds
This will activate your brain. I do birdwatching. When I am searching for birds, I feel a certain part of my brain, which I seldom use, is activated and is working hard. If you stay in a city, you may feel the same when you are looking for something in a forest. It can be flowers, insects, or any other wildlife.
3. Paint/draw pictures or take photos
Be creative. Create your masterpieces in the forest. You may meet unusual forest dwellers, which are your models.
4. Picnic
Make your sandwiches, or buy snacks if you don’t have time. Eating in a forest will give you a different experience.
5. Yoga/meditation
You can breathe even more deeply when you meditate in a forest.
Be careful about your belongings.
6. Read
Grab your favorite books and go into a forest. Don’t forget to spray yourself with mosquito repellent.
Attire
Long sleeves, long pants, hat, and sneakers.
What to bring
Food/snacks, Water, Rain gear, Optional: Binoculars, Camera.
LET’S PLAN
Schedule your forest bathing now. Decide where to go.
If you don’t have forests near your place, any parks are good enough for walking. You can still touch the trees there.
Do you like walking in a forest? What is your experience? Share the comment below.
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