SLOW

Forest bathing (bagno nella foresta)

“Wherever there are trees, we are healthier and happier”

– Dr. Qing Li

We’ve been in therapy. Bosco therapy.

You may have heard about forest bathing. It was something that we first became aware of when we lived in Japan. We took long soaks in onsens (hot springs) and learned a little about the wellness scene which was very popular. An exercise called ‘Shinrin–Yoku’ encourages you to stop and spend time in a forest. We walked in phenomenal forests of tall bamboo trees in Japan. Taking time for contemplation. Embracing SLOW.

In recent months, we have spent more and more time outside. In spite of all of the challenges presented with the Coronavirus pandemic, getting out into nature was always a good idea. You would switch off the news and take in fresh air and exercise. There’s a lot written about the healing power of trees. Somehow, spending time with trees always makes you feel good. Wherever we have lived, even in the vast urban jungles of Dubai, Nairobi and Jakarta, we have gravitated to nature. Our sweet spots have always been the green ones. Where is your nearest forest?

Forest bathing started in Japan in 1982. It was part of a national health wellness initiative. Researchers highlighted the benefits; how it might reduce anxiety and stress in our lives. And this was important at the time. Many people had been living with depression. And years later, when teaching in Osaka, I was shocked to discover that Japan had the highest teenage suicide rate in the world. You can read more about forest bathing in Dr. Qing Li’s book How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness. The connection with trees is important because they release phytoncides; oils which protect the plants. And its these phytoncides that we inhale when we walk in the forest. Dr. Li found that if we just spent two hours each month in the forest, we would reap the benefits.

We just spent the last two weeks in a forest and didn’t go anywhere else. Silenzio. Being surrounded by trees is very special. Taking long walks on nature paths takes you far from the trappings of modern life. And we never need to be asked twice to dis-connect from WiFi. We happily lose connectivity whenever we walk out of our home. To really enjoy the forest bathing experience, you have to leave your phone at home.

Most people have heard about Mindfulness; the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at that moment. Forest bathing invites us to use our senses to really connect with nature; watch the birdlife, smell the fresh air and hear the trees swaying in the breeze.

And breathing in the fresh air is vital for our bodies. We have to give our bodies a chance to recover from stress, especially when living in polluted places.

Forest bathing is not about hiking, not about a route, not about getting from A – B. Instead we are asked to meander and listen to our bodies. Follow a noise or an instinct. And simply take unhurried time to just enjoy being immersed in nature.

So after time in a forest, how might you feel?

These are just some of the benefits that Dr. Qing Li suggests in his book, the ‘fruits of the forest’ if you like;

improved sleep patterns among the middle-aged (afternoon walks were found to be more beneficial than morning walks) “You sleep better when you spend time in a forest, even when you don’t increase the amount of physical activity you do”
improved vigor and reduced fatigue
reduced stress
reduced blood pressure and heart rate

Where do you go for your forest bathing?

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