Need a break from the stresses of daily demands?
An answer could be Forest Bathing—an immersive break in nature, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle.
In January on this blog, Linda Carter shared an excellent article, “Nature Therapy for a Healthy Lifestyle.” She gives suggestions for a variety of ways to add nature to our daily lives. This article will focus on one of the methods—Forest Bathing.
Research for my latest book, Sweet Double-Cross, introduced me to this simple, health boosting technique found in nature. Since my heroine is a biologist who works for a nature preservation and biodiversity research center, I delved into topics related to the interaction of people, nature and well-being.
An Open University article explores how outdoor green and blue spaces can improve our mental health. ( https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/mental-health/the-benefits-outdoor-green-a-spaces ) Mental health as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.
One of the key ways of maintaining wellbeing is to spend time outdoors in nature. Nature refers to many aspects of the physical components, including plants and animals. Landscape itself can be divided into green spaces and blue spaces.
Blue spaces are those with visible surface waters: lakes, rivers, and coastal water. Green spaces refer to trees, vegetation cover, parks, and woodlands. Both green and blue spaces offer a variety of benefits, including stress reduction, restorative effects, cognitive enhancement, and social interaction. Increasing access to these spaces can be a valuable tool for promoting mental health and well-being.
Forest Bathing Fits into the Green Space Category
A report entitled “Into the Woods” in Better Homes and Gardens (April 2023) opened my eyes to this custom. Like taking a bath immersed in water, Forest Bathing is submerging in a treed space and is designed to counteract the stresses encountered in daily life.
In a scene in my novel, the heroine talks briefly about Forest Bathing. But since the story is romantic suspense, she is thrust into danger and unable to try it out. So, to help the reader learn more about Forest Bathing, I’m sharing a brief history of the practice along with the benefits and a recommended way to forest bathe.
Background and Origin
Urban life and sedentary jobs that glue us to office chairs staring at computer screens for hours at a time have been shown to cause burnout and health problems, such as poor circulation, eye strain, back strain, and other physical stresses. Forest Bathing is designed to counteract these issues by immersion into nature.
The method of spending time in a forest or natural setting to connect with nature and to promote well-being through sensory engagement gained popularity in the 1980’s with the Japanese shinrin-yoku, which translates as “absorbing the forest atmosphere.”
Mothers across the ages have been aware of the benefits the out of doors can bring by taking the kids to a park or telling them, “go outside and play.” And think of the Biblical support for nature immersion. After all, “God created man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul.”(Genesis 2:7)
God’s touch is embedded in the earthly elements, so we experience His touch when we put ourselves in touch with His creation.
Benefits of Forest Bathing
In a forest, trees emit fragrant essential oils called terpenes. People absorb terpenes through their skin and when they breathe. This boosts the production of dopamine and serotonin—happy hormones—and helps people relax.
Scientific studies suggest that Forest Bathing can:
- Reduce stress hormones
- Increase immune cell activity
- Promote overall well-being
- Improve sleep quality
- Improve mood
- Improve digestion
- Enhance the ability to focus
- Lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol—the stress hormone
- Relieve societal burnout
Dr. Melissa Lem, M.D., a Vancouver physician, launched a national nature prescription program in Canada, encouraging health professionals to prescribe time in nature to patients. Dr. Lem explains, “Anything that brings nature closer to us is a good and healthy thing. Forest Bathing creates a deep restorative effect by aligning our bodies with the rhythms of nature.”
How to Forest Bathe
Forest Bathing is taking an intentional, immersive break in nature and is possible anywhere there are trees. It can be in town, the country, mountains, or other terrain.
- Turn off devices
- Take a slow, mindful walk among the trees.
- Engage your senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch). What are the scents, noises, colors, textures, or flavors in your surroundings?
- Live in the moment and appreciate the natural surroundings
While there’s no strict time limit for Forest Bathing, sessions can range from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the individual’s goals and available time. According to Hanwag Stories, https://stories.hanwag.com/en/a-three-step-guide-to-forest-bathing/ you should immerse yourself in the forest for a period that allows you to fully engage your senses and connect with the environment.
In Summary
An excellent green space restorative activity is Forest Bathing. The practice involves spending time in a forest to connect with nature and promotes well-being through sensory engagement.
(Hopefully the heroine in my Sweet Double-Cross novel will be able to benefit from Forest Bathing once she enters into her Happily Ever After!)
So, locate a place with trees—forest, woodlands, garden, city park, backyard, etc.— turn off devices, and take a walk.
HAPPY FOREST BATHING!
About the Author:
Sally Jo Pitts is a former private investigator, licensed lie detection examiner, and retired high school guidance counselor with over twenty years teaching experience in the field of family and consumer sciences. She combines her education and detective know-how to bring inspirational fiction to the page. Married to her late law enforcement husband for 48 years, she resides in the Panhandle of Florida. Connect with her at https://sallyjopitts.com/author.
Latest book release: Sweet Double-Cross https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Double-Cross-County-Secrets/dp/B0F6V9WF58