From Japan comes the Shinrin-yoku: the “forest bath” .

In the 6th century BCE, Cyrus the Great planted  gardens in the middle  of cities in the Persian Empire   to improve  human health. In the 16th century ,  the Swiss philosopher  and physician Paraselsus wrote: “The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician.  But it was the Japanese who actively developed the idea with Shinrin-yoku.

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You can do  Shinrin-yoku on your own- or turn to an experienced forest guide  too manage the (often very slow) pace and direct you to the best places. Unlike a simple walk, “forest bathing” invites you  to enjoy the moment not just with sight but with all five senses.  You are encouraged to live in the moment, to fully enjoy the place in which one find yourself f, to abandon technology to find a true relationship with nature.

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What can be done in the Shinrin-yoku?

The centrepiece of forest bathing is undoubtedly meditation mindfullness, that is, being present with body and mind in the present moment, focusing on oneself and the natural world around. Other activities can be long, slow walks, meditation, breathing exercises and tree hugging.

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The benefits of the Shinrin-yoku

The positive effects are innumerable, in a 2010 study  published at New York Times evidence was produced that it can stimulate natural immunity to diseases.. An increase in immune function is one of the most immediate benefits, but other benefits have also been noted, as reported in another study, “Shinrin-yoku: the Medicine of Being in the Forest”. In this article, decreased heart rate and blood pressure are reported, as well as decreased stress and cures for depression.

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The premise is to really try: it is an active exercise.. The crux of the whole matter is that it is not enough to take a jaunt into a forest to feel immediate benefits. It is more of a mental exercise that one comes to with time, practice and concentration. You  need to make an effort to perceive all things with the five senses, you  must try to abandon thoughts of the city and technology. Immersing yourself in the forest is a conscious exercise that must be embraced in its entirety if it is to be effective.

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