Forest Bathing: Unveiling Nature's Healing Secrets

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon our hearts as for that subtle something that quality of air that emanates for old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

 - Robert Louis Stevenson

Biologists say that trees are social beings.  They can count, learn and remember.  They nurse sick members.  And for reasons unknown they keep ancient stumps of long felled companions alive for centuries by feeding them a sugar solution through the roots.  For many years, biologists have studied the intricate and fascinating world of trees.  It was once believed that trees were solitary and self-sufficient beings, each one living independently from the others.  However, recent studies have revealed that trees are social beings, communicating with each other in a complex and sophisticated network.

A lovely book I recently read was Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li.  Forest Bathing is also known as Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese art.  Shinrin in Japanese means forest and yoku means bath.  Instead of a literal warm bath, you are immersing yourself in a soothing and relaxing forest.  “So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses.  When was the last time you strolled in a forest or walk through a woodland so beautiful it made you stop in marvel? When did you last notice the spring buds unfurling or look closely at the frost patterns on a winter leaf? I wonder, instead, how many hours you spent looking at a screen today, and how many times you checked your phone.”*  To put it simply, forest bathing is connecting with nature through our five senses, touch, taste, sound, smell and sight.   Don’t just walk in the forest, but slow down and actually linger and soak in the smells, sounds and sights of nature.  The best part of forest bathing is it doesn’t require special equipment or skills.  Just leave your phone and tech at home to avoid distractions so you can be mindful during your walk.

Sight

Notice the sky how many different colors do you see? How many values of one color do you see? In case you're not familiar with value it is the lightness or darkness of a color. Is the sky moving? What lifecycle is the forest in? Is it growing or fading? Notice the light in the shadows.  Beautiful patterns are created everywhere in nature. Just look closely at the spirals of a shell, the petals of flowers, the intricacy of a snowflake, pinecones, and even the way a fern unfolds. From the way tree branches divide to clouds and ocean waves, the ripples on the surface of a pond and lightning there are, natural patterns called fractals everywhere.  Fractals looks the same no matter what scale they are; they are patterns that repeat themselves in nature.  Fractals can be used to make you feel happier.   Observe the veins in a leaf, the slight color changes and how it curls as they turn in the fall.  The natural world is filled with splendor and awe.  Notice how much more relaxed you are in nature.  Pretty soon you will start seeing patterns everywhere.  This inspiration is a gold mine when it comes to creating.  “It is with our sense of sight that we experience the splendor and beauty of the natural world.”*

Sound

Did you know that silence is an endangered  and a rare commodity these days?  The everyday noise in our world are constant stressors. For example our phone and computer notifications and alerts constantly buzzing reminding use of deadlines and pulling for our attention.  Forest bathing helps to wash out the noise and reset.  “The silence of the natural world is in fact a constant, wondrous, never-ending symphony.”*  Studies have proven that we prefer the sounds of nature vs urban noise.  The four sounds that we like the most are birdsong and bird chatter, water and the wind.  Take note of the taste in the air.  Pay attention to sounds.  What sound do you hear, where is it coming from, near, far, up high or down low?  Touch the branches, the bark, leaves on the trees and plants.  If there is water near by then dip your feet and hands into it.  How do you feel in the forest?  Talk to a wise old tree.  What secrets does he have?  Share your secrets, wishes and desires with that old tree.   Make wishes on leaves then send them down the creek or in the air to carry them off.

Smell

Take a deep breath and focus on the smells around you.  “When you walk in the forest, you are breathing in its healing power.”*  In aromatherapy, Cedarwood helps to reduce stress and anxiety, calm the spirit, help with sleep, pain relief, clear the mind, stimulate emotional strength and has antibacterial properties among much more.  Inhalation of pine needles has been proven to have a positive effect on inflammatory diseases of the airways.  Notice that delightful fresh smell after it has rained in the forest.  Plant oils collect on the surface of the forest floor.  This helps plants survive during a dry spell.  Once it rains, the oils that have been reserved in the rocks are released from the water and the aroma fills the air.  A fundamental part of why we feel so good in the forest is the smells of the forest.  There is also something that we don’t smell and that is negative ions.  They are believed to increase levels of serotonin which elevates our mood, increases mental clarity, and boosts energy.  Negative ions are especially bountiful in forests, waterfalls, streams and rivers.  Per cubic centimeter there can be as many as 100,000 negative ions vs in your home or office that may have a mere 100 negative ions.  These negative ions increase our well-being and mental clarity.  Place your arms down by your sides.  As you inhale and take a slow deep breath in, raise your arms out to your sides and over your head placing your palms together. Count to four, release your breath slowly as you reverse and release your arms down to your side.  Repeat 3 times.

The Power of Trees

“Trees release phytoncides to protect them from bacteria, insects and fungi.  Phyton is Greek for ‘plant’, and ‘cide' is ‘to kill’.  Phytoncides are also part of the communication pathway between trees: the way trees talk to each other. The concentration of Phytoncide in the air depends on the temperature and other changes that take place throughout the year. The warmer it is, the more Phytoncides there are in the air.”*  The greatest producers of phytoncides are evergreens like cedars, pine trees, conifers and spruces.

Wikipedia:  “Phytoncides have antibacterial and antifungal qualities which help plants fight disease.  When people breathe in these chemicals, our bodies respond by increasing the number and activity of a type of white blood cell called natural killer cells or NK.  These cells kill tumors and virus infected cells in our bodies.”

Touch

Much of our uneasiness, stress and illnesses are due to a shortage of connection with nature.  Hippocrates wrote: ‘Illnesses do not come upon us out of the blue.  They are developed from the small daily sins against nature.  When enough sins have accumulated, illnesses will suddenly appear.’  So, get in touch with nature by taking off your shoes and go barefoot, feel the breeze on your face and let the water stream through your fingers.  If you can’t get out into the forest right now, try grounding yourself with nature.  The earth is like a giant battery and when you ‘hook’ yourself up to it (by going barefoot) you are receiving a powerful dose of healing electrons from the earth.  We are in harmony with nature when we are electrically grounded.

Taste

Now here is where you need to take care.   You must be familiar with what is safe to eat and what is not, such as berries.  Some are safe and some are poisonous.  A lovely ceremony after a Shinrin-yoku walk, the Japanese often end it with tea brewed from twigs, flowers or leaves they gathered in the forest.  Again, you need to know what is safe or not.  If you have access to fresh mountain water, that would be a delightful way to end your forest bathing.  I do not have that access, nor am I familiar with what is safe for consumption in the forest.  I do have wild raspberry bushes in my yard (if I can get them before the animals do).  I also have a splendid Mulberry tree that is loaded in June.  A nice cup of Chai tea would also be a pleasing way to end my forest bathing.

The sixth sense

The natural world creates wonder and transcendence.  There is fascination and magic that takes our breath away.  We can be transformed.  The natural world is filled with awe and to immerse ourselves in it, we need to connect to something larger than ourselves.  Nature breathes new life into us. So, close your eyes and feel the forest.  Be one with the forest.  Let it transform your day to peace and tranquility.

*Referenced quotes are from the books: Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton and Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li

**The information shared is for informational purposes only, it is not intended to be or shall it be construed as personal therapy or health advice.  Always consult with your doctor before making changes to your physical or mental health practices.