The positive effects of forest therapy for both physical and mental health.
Growing up in the northwoods of Wisconsin I spent many hours walking through the dense woods of my parents 80 acres. My best memories are the long walks under the forested canopy that gave me a sense of peace. I personally long for those days again.
In Japan, Shinrin-yoku has been taught for many years, here in the United States it is called forest therapy. Shinrin-yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” Forest therapy is the practice of spending time in a forested area for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness.
In Japan, Shinrin-yoku is a simple process of taking slow deep walks in nature in a relaxed environment in order to reduce stress, calm the nerves and rejuvenate the soul. Keep in mind that Shinrin-yoku is not hiking or jogging in a forest, it is the act of being part of nature. Shinrin-yoku is connecting your spirit with nature through our major sense like hearing, taste, smell, touch and of course sight.
The Key
The key to unlocking the power of the forest lies in the five senses. Let nature enter through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and feet. Listen to the birds singing and the breeze rustling in the leaves of the trees. Look at the different greens of the trees and the sunlight filtering through the branches. Smell the fragrance of the forest and breathe in the natural aromatherapy of phytoncides. Taste the freshness of the air as you take deep breaths. Place your hands on the trunk of a tree. Dip your fingers or toes in a stream. Lie on the ground. Drink in the flavor of the forest and release your sense of joy and calm. This is your sixth sense, a state of mind. Now you have connected with nature. You have crossed the bridge to happiness.
We spend so much time in-doors that we forget what nature really looks and feels like. We need to spend time in nature again in order to unlock the power of the forest.
Indoor Generation
Today most people spend about 93% of their time indoors. The EPA conducted an analysis and they came up with that over 90% of Americans time is spent indoors. Why do we spend so much time indoors?
Spending so much time indoors also cuts us off from natural light. As a species, we evolved to need daylight. “From the year 1800 to 2000, we’ve moved from 90 percent of people working outside to less than 20 percent,” says Russell Foster, the head of the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology and the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford. “We’ve gone from being an outdoor species to spending most of our time in dim, dark caves.”
We are in a new generation, a generation that is called the “Indoor Generation”. Back 200 years ago people spent the majority of their day outside working in fields or on farms. Then came the industrial revolution that brought people from the farm to the factories. Today we jump ahead and the majority of our time today is spent in front of the glow of a screen, which has put us out of sync with nature.
One report states this:
“When examined collectively, all of these factors may be taking a toll on our health and happiness. Welcome to the era of the “Indoor Generation.” A recent report backed by data from international research firm YouGov highlights how much time people are really spending inside — and the findings are illuminating in more ways than one.”
We need to get back to nature in order to regain our health and happiness. Depression and anxiety are rampant in America. Antidepressants are being handed out like candy and mental health awareness has taken the spotlight as being a major health concern in the United States.
Mental Health
You have probably read articles and heard news reports about depression and the spike in people taking antidepressants. Could this be related to our generation spending most of their life indoors? Take a look at your life, what is it do the majority of your day?
Today kids don’t play outside, they spend time playing video games or text messaging with their friends. Walking is a thing of the past, we get our exercise doing yoga in front of the television or computer screen and jogging on a treadmill at the gym. When we are not at work we binge watch Netflix or stare at a computer screen checking out social media. We are in a generation that is tied to technology and we have turned our backs on nature.
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Getting Back To Nature
I am just as guilty as the next person that has become part of the indoor generation. Since I have lived in Wisconsin I have moved to Central Florida. A person would think that living in Florida you are outside most of the day, WRONG! Take today as an example, the temperature was 101F and the heat index was 113 degrees. Ask yourself, would you be outside for the better part of the day at 113 degrees? I will admit that I spend the majority of time inside in the air conditioning breathing in all the germs and pollutants that are trapped indoors.
My mind goes back daily to the long walks in the forest, or the time spent in the wilderness of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). These were the best times of my life. The sense of calm being in the forest, no sounds from cars, planes or electronic technology. Laying on the rocks on the shore of a lake and watching the millions of stars in the galaxy is something that can only be experienced. Being in touch with nature is the best thing for anyone that is suffering from depression, anxiety, or mental illness.
Why Forest Therapy?
Forest therapy again is not just hiking in the woods or living off the land. Forest Therapy is researched-based healing through the immersion under the canopy of the forest in order to promote mental and physical health.
Shinrin-yoku brings in different forms of relaxation techniques and meditation for the mind and soul. Over the years there have been scientific results from Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing such as:
Boosted immune system
Reduced blood pressure
Decreased anxiety
Reduced mood swings
Lower Stress
Increased energy
Improved sleep
Increased sense of happiness.
Lower blood sugar levels
Improved immunity
Increased endorphins
Even small amounts of time in nature can have a significant impact on a person health. Taking walks in the woods will help you to unplug from the world and destress your life. By connecting with nature with your five senses you will begin to take in the benefits of nature and all the gems that this world provides.
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Spending time in the forest you will begin to feel the power that the forest gives you and you will feel the importance of connecting with all of the benefits of nature. After your forest therapy experience, you will feel restored and re-energized and you will begin to take back your health and mind. So don’t wait, find a forest near you and begin your journey into Shinrin-yoku.
