Forest Bathing

Perhaps you've heard of the Japanese practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku. It's a simple wellness concept that emerged in the 1980's. It means to immerse oneself in nature, taking in the sensory experience as fully as possible, without regard for a particular plan or goal. Where running or hiking is about getting to a destination, shinrin-yoku is about experiencing the environment. So no running in forest bathing! No Running

 The point of forest bathing is simply to disconnect from technology and take in the sights, sounds, smell, and tactile experience of being surrounded by trees. There's plenty of science now to back up what we may have already figured out for ourselves: being immersed in nature lowers our stress levels, helps reduce anger, anxiety, and depression, and increases our energy, creativity, and sense of well-being. Forest bathing can also boost our immune functioning.


For those who don't have a true forest at their fingertips, even spending time in a city park has health benefits for us. Tips on Forest Bathing Anytime we allow ourselves to rest in nature we give ourselves a holistic health gift. College campuses, greenbelts, parks, and farmlands are just some of the places that might serve us well. Japanese Forest Bathing

If you do have a forest within walking distance, a daily forest bath may be a reasonable goal when so many of us are walking more now. It doesn't need to be a long outing, and the forest doesn't need to be large. Just spending 20 or 30 minutes a day can make a significant difference in our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual states. There's no need for special training or equipment, and there's no task to be accomplished. Just enter the forest and simply be. Here's a short meditative video about taking a forest bath: Forest Bathing 

You can learn still more about forest bathing here:  ANFT

I close today with these words from the revered Buddhist spiritual guide, poet, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh:

 "The Zen master Ling Chi said that the miracle is not to walk on burning charcoal or in the thin air or on the water; the miracle is just to walk on earth. You breathe in. You become aware of the fact that you are alive. You are still alive and you are walking on this beautiful planet. That is already performing a miracle. The greatest of all miracles is to be alive. We have to awaken ourselves to the truth that we are here, alive. We are here making steps on this beautiful planet. This is already performing a miracle."   
                                     ~from Taking a Walk 

Despite these dark times, we still experience the miracle of just walking on earth. And until tomorrow, I wish you good health and the joy of being in nature.

 Love,
Nancie/Mom/Mimi/Grandma

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