Benefits of Shinrin-Yoku: Healing through Forest Bathing {at home or on the go}
Emodiversity Word of the Week
Shinrin-Yoku. {Japanese} Forest Bathing; Being in the atmosphere of the forest.
Stepping into a forest, fresh oxygen fills your lungs as you feel the moisture in the air fall upon your skin. You hear the crackling sound of the soil, leaves, and parts of trees and roots beneath your feet. The greens and colors around you become more vivid as your senses sharpen as your body begins to relax. Your heart rate lowers and your mind aligns with your body as your thoughts become absorbed with the beauty of nature that surrounds you. The feeling of restoration begins to move through your body as you leave the noise that often comes with life behind.
It is no mystery that being in a forest is healing. But science has only recently caught up with the healing benefits of forest bathing. In fact, it wasn't until the 1980's that the practice of forest bathing became an actual word "Shirin-Yoku". This was termed by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries as a way for officials to positively support the health crisis of citizens facing burnt-out and high levels of stress. Today, doctors in Japan and around the world prescribe Shirin-Yoku as a way to alleviate stress, boost mood, lower levels of inflammation, enhance quality of sleep, improve biological and psychological health and more.
But, in our busy and often urban lives, how do we more frequently access the healing benefits of being in a forest from home, or on the go?
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Here are 3 ways to gain the healing benefits of Shinrin-Yoku {forest bathing} whether in a forest or at home.
- Science shows that as little as 15 minutes of being in a forest is enough to improve health and inspire healing. If you have a forest near you, even a cluster of trees, go sit under them, unplug, and just be (for as long or as short as your time allows). If you are at home and have a window with a view of nature, a tree, or even just the sky, set a timer for 15 minutes and watch the world outside come alive. It is amazing what you will see when you allow yourself to just watch the world slow down. You do not have to be inside of a forest for hours to gain the benefits, taking any free time that you have to slow down and enjoy nature is a mindful way to give yourself restorative self-care. If you are looking for inspiration and want to find a trail to immerse yourself within, utilize my favorite global trail-finding app all trails. I am a ambassador for this brand because of the helpful reviews that people leave and I find beautiful trails, wherever I am, that I had no I idea no idea were near by.
- Breathing in the scents of the forest is naturally healing. Specifically phytoncides and terpenes (airborn chemicals found in plants that have many health benefits), are proven to improve immune function, help to alleviate inflammation, and have anti-cancer properties by boosting our NK cells and much more. These elements are found in pine, eucalyptus, lavender, cedar, oak, mint, and tumeric just to name a few. When you are at home, utilize essential oils to gain the same health benefits. Or, light a candle with these scents. Here are a few of my favorite at home essentials to inspire the natural healing of the forest: doTERRA essential oils, Juniper Ridge Redwood Scent Aromatherapy Candle, Muse Apothecary Room Ritual - Aromatic and Relaxing Room Mist.
- Listening to the sounds of the forest will calm your mind and relax your body. While the science of sound baths is in it's early stages, many studies have shown that nature sounds, whether in person or through your headphones, has layers of health benefits from improved cognitive function and mood, to decreasing pain and stress. As a meditation teacher, I frequently incorporate forest and nature sounds into my practice. I also often fall asleep to nature sounds and will even spend just a few minutes of soft breathing with my eyes closed tuned into a favorite forest track in the background. Here are a few suggestions for meditations and nature tracks: Connecting and Grounding Practice with Root Chakra Healing (meditation on Insight Timer), Dreamy Forest Music (playlist on Spotify), Forest Sounds: Light Rain & Snow Falling In Forest by Patrick Lynen (featured on Insight Timer).
Your Mindful Reflection Question (comment below): How would you like to implement more shinrin-roku into your lifestyle?
