-Deva Narayan
In our modern world of constant busyness and technology, it may feel like stepping into a forest is one of the most radical things we can do. But the concept of forest bathing, or “Shinrin-yoku” as it is known in Japan, is so much more than a walk in the woods. Forest bathing involves immersing oneself in nature and understanding that our health is intrinsically linked to the earth’s health.
Forest bathing started in Japan in the 1980s as a response to the country’s high-tech boom and the stressful urban life that went with it. “Shinrin-yoku” literally translates to “taking in the forest atmosphere,” and it became so popular as a form of preventive health care and healing for a mental strain that, according to Fortune, some physicians even prescribe it to patients. Forest bathing is not your average hike, where physical exertion or arriving at a destination might be the goal. Instead, forest bathing is about slowing down and experiencing the natural world through all of your senses—sight, smell, taste (yes: some edible plants are included on many forest-bathing trips), sound, and touch.
The Japanese practice has numerous healing benefits. Studies about forest bathing have shown that spending time in nature – especially in forested areas – can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve mood. Dr Qing Li, a world leader in forest medicine and author of Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health And Happiness, found that simply spending time in a forest increases the activity of your natural killer (NK) cells. These virus- and cancer-fighting cells are part of your immune system.
The forest’s power to heal is often credited to a concept known as forest bathing. Many believe that the trees release phytoncides or natural oils, and defense mechanisms meant to protect the plant from harmful insects and microorganisms into the air. Breathing in these substances reportedly decreases cortisol levels (the “stress” hormone), reduces anxiety, improves concentration, and fosters feelings of relaxation.
In many ways, forest bathing is all about reconnecting with our most primordial instincts and the natural world we used to be part of. For the vast majority of human history, we lived near nature, depending on it for everything from food and shelter to spiritual sustenance. But the contemporary world has pulled us away from those roots. Urbanization, technology, and modern life have created a chasm between ourselves and the natural environment that an increasing number of researchers are starting to recognize as “nature deficit disorder”.
Forest bathing offers us a way to bridge this gap. It allows us to slow down, disconnect from our screens, and reconnect with the rhythms of nature. In doing so we not only benefit our own physical and mental well-being but we gain a greater appreciation for what is around us. We have become stewards of the earth; responsible for protecting and maintaining it for generations.
The art of forest bathing is a testament to the healing power of nature. In a world that often prioritizes productivity and efficiency, forest bathing offers a welcome pause—a chance to reconnect with the natural world and ourselves. As we immerse ourselves in the beauty of the forest, we rediscover the profound sense of peace and well-being that comes from being in nature. Whether you are seeking to reduce stress, improve your health, or simply find a moment of calm, forest bathing is a practice that can nourish your body, mind, and spirit.