In any forest you will find a unique ecosystem made up of trees, animals, and other living plants and organisms that may vary depending on where you are at on the planet. It's a complete interconnected system of dense trees, water, and air that creates an atmosphere of quiet relaxation.
One of the most noticeable things about Forest Bathing is that it speaks directly to the senses. From the soft gentle lighting that is created by the tree coverage, to the sound of running streams, birds, and other living creatures that inhabit most of these environments. In your every breath you can taste and inhale the wooded smells of the surrounding area. It's an earthy smell of pine, moss, plants, flowers, and damp soil. Usually the dense trees create a muffling of sound which makes time in the forest nice and quiet, with the right combination of gentle noises that feel accepting (and familiar) to the human body.
The greenery from the combination of trees, plants, wood and soil in most forests is welcoming to the eyes as it creates a view that is not too bright and not too dark. And the softness of the moss and aged leaves on most forest floors creates a gentle massage on one's feet when walking over the trails and paths. There isn't too much in these environments that the human body doesn't like and so it feels welcoming and is an environment our bodies can relate to.
Scientifically, the proof supports the feeling that Forest Bathing brings. According to Dr Qing Li, who is considered to be the foremost expert on Forest Bathing or "forest medicine," there are many medical benefits from practicing Forest Bathing. Including, strengthening the immune system, lowering blood pressure, lowering levels of depression, anxiety and stress, reducing fatigue, lowering levels of cortisol steroids in the system (the stress hormone), and increasing a sense of mental focus (mindfulness).
Forest Bathing is one of the most affordable kinds of stress-reduction therapy you will ever find. It's reachable and manageable for many and talks to that part of us that knows we are a part of nature. If you are looking for ideas about how you can get back into nature, you can find my earlier blog entry here about ways to get out and get connected with the great outdoors. There is no time like the present to submerge yourself in the relaxing practice of Forest Bathing.
"Go out in the forest, go out. If you don't go out in the woods nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin." ~Clarrisa Pinkola Estes
Thanks to Jan Hazevoet for the great photos, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
