Today I experienced something very new to me. Every morning I walk my dog out back on the property. I usually walk with purpose – get the dog walked then get back to work. Lately I’ve noticed that even though it’s the same routine everyday, my dog greets the day with excitement and anticipation – like he’s never before been in the yard or out back. With that sense of pure joy, I resolved to clear my mind and enjoy a slow stroll.
This simple act reminded me of something I’d read last year about `forest bathing’. Here is a brief description and 5 easy steps to follow.
“Shinrin-Yoku, translated into English as ‘forest bathing’, means taking in the forest atmosphere during a leisurely walk. It is a therapy that was developed in Japan during the 1980s, becoming a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.
Researchers, primarily in Japan and South Korea, have conducted studies on the health benefits of spending time amongst the trees, demonstrating that forest bathing positively creates calming neuro-psychological effects through changes in the nervous system, reducing the stress hormone cortisol and boosting the immune system.
Every study conducted so far has demonstrated reductions in stress, anger, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness amongst the participants. In fact after just 15 minutes of forest bathing blood pressure drops, stress levels are reduced and concentration and mental clarity improve.
If you think it all sounds too good to be true, why not give it a go yourself? If you don’t have a forest or woodland nearby, you can also practice forest bathing in the park. Just follow this short guide…
Step 1 – leave behind your phone, camera or any other distractions, so that you can be fully present in the experience.
Step 2 – Leave behind your goals and expectations. Wander aimlessly, allowing your body to take you wherever it wants.
Step 3 – Pause from time to time, to look more closely at a leaf or notice the sensation of the path beneath your feet.
Step 4 – Find a comfy spot to take a seat and listen to the sounds around you. See how the behaviour of the birds and other animals changes when they become used to your presence.
Step 5 – If you go with others, make an agreement to resist talking until the end of the walk, when you could gather to share your experiences.” [1]
With this new purpose in my heart, I headed out back to walk. The quietness of my surroundings, the fragrance of the evergreens as I brushed by and the coolness of the air, all greeted me with an intensity that I hadn’t noticed before. I felt deeply restored. As of today, I have resolved to be more mindful of my surroundings, just as my dog is, using all of my senses to experience each new day.
[1] https://www.growwilduk.com/blog
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