B O D Y T A L K
Forest Bathing
Imagine being immersed in the quiet sounds of a forest, breathing
in the "green" air of the living canopies that protect you. This
meditative experience is called forest bathing, and is inspired by
Japan's shinrin-yoku, a practice developed in the 1980s that means
literally "forest bath." This experience, considered a cornerstone
of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine, is
more about "being" than "doing." This intimate exchange with
nature has grown into a global wellness practice that promises
to rejuvenate, refresh, revive, and relax those who give it a try.
According to the website www.shinrin-yoku.org, the
research-proven benefits of this immersion into nature include
reduced stress, a boosted immune system, improved sleep,
and accelerated recovery from illness or surgery. Those
who practice regular forest bathing claim deeper focus,
clearer intuition, increased energy, and an overall improved
sense of well-being. And it's simple to try: find a forest,
walk slowly, breathe deeply, open all your senses to the
experience, and let yourself be washed in the forest bath.
4 Body Sense