Healthy Forests and A Healthier You
Trees are a gift and forests are one of our greatest treasures. We need to care for them as they care for us, not only because they are essential to society and to the health of our environment, but they are also a source of joy in an increasingly chaotic and concrete world.
Most of us know that taking a walk in a forest is good for us. We can take a break from the rush of our daily lives and enjoy the beauty and peace of being in a natural setting. Forests bring us joy in so many ways, from recreational activities like hiking, camping, picnicking and birdwatching to something as simple as just listening to the peaceful sound of the wind in the trees and connecting to nature through forest bathing.
While the idea of spending time in nature is not new, reconnecting to nature as a healing practice first took root in Japan in the 1980s and was called “shinrin-yoku” which translates as “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere.” At that time, doctors and researchers realized that our hectic city life was taking its toll on the population who spend most of their time working indoors causing depression, anxiety and other health problems.
Research has proven the remarkable health benefits that come from spending time in nature. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that “walking as little as 15 minutes in a forest can improve one’s mood and relieve stress and anxiety.” The practice of forest bathing has a positive effect mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Many of the health benefits of forest bathing are due to phytoncides—the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or “essential oils”—emitted by trees. The visual stimulation, smells and other sensory elements of the forest add to the therapeutic value of forest bathing. Even five minutes around trees or in green spaces may improve health. Think of it as a prescription with no negative side effects AND it’s also free.
Exposure to forests and trees can:
- boost the immune system
- increase healthy antioxidants in the body
- lower blood pressure
- reduce stress
- improve mood
- increase cortisone levels
- increase ability to focus for adults and children
- accelerate recovery from surgery or illness
- increase energy levels
- improve sleep
What exactly is forest bathing?
Forest bathing is a sensory experience and a chance for a digital detox, so leave your phone, watch, earbuds and other electronics at home. It is about mindfully immersing yourself in nature. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly move yourself through your own senses one by one, consciously thinking about the smells, the tastes and the sounds of the forest. Anyone can practice it anytime, almost anywhere. Although a private or public forest is ideal, anywhere you see trees will work, including an urban park or even your own backyard. Did you know there are even forest bathing guides? You can do forest bathing on your own or with one of over 2,000 certified guides across the United States! Guides will provide sequenced “invitations” along the way to help participants attune to the touch, sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of the forest. A guide can help people to notice things they may otherwise miss and “cultivate the senses that are already natural to us.”
Protecting Our Forests
The significance of forests to the health of the ecosystem and our well-being cannot be overstated. Beyond the many items essential to society like wood and paper products, forests provide us with oxygen and mitigate the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide. They supply up to 75% of the world’s accessible fresh water, provide essential foods, natural medicines, lower air temperature, help prevent erosion and are home to 80 percent of the world’s plants and animals.
To ensure that we have thriving, vibrant forests to enjoy and care for us, it is essential that we care for them. Enjoy some time forest bathing and see how we can live in harmony with nature and how nature heals us.
