The Japanese term shinrin-yoku translates directly to mean “forest bathing”, a phrase coined by the Japanese government in the 1980s.
At the time, Japan faced a public health crisis with high levels of stress and a spike in autoimmune diseases. Research proves that forest bathing has many health benefits, including decreased blood pressure and a reduction in stress.
As we live further away from nature, it is vital for our wellbeing that we seek moments among the trees, which release oils to protect themselves from harmful insects and germs. In the forest or woodland, we can take on board some of these woodland oils.
Forest bathing requires you to focus all of your senses, allowing you to concentrate on the moment.
What you need and what you don’t
Woodland
Yourself
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Method
1 Head to some trees. It doesn’t need to be a big forest.
2 When you arrive, take note of all your senses. Smell the woodland around you, taste the fresh air that you are breathing and listen to the noises the woods are making, plus birds, bees or rustling leaves.
3 Feel the bark of a tree or the damp earth under foot.
4 Look at the tree canopy and the texture of the bark; look for birds or insects and the clouds in the sky. As you walk around the woodland think of these things. You don’t need to go anywhere specific, just wander and see where your feet take you.
For more information on outdoors education visit wildoutdoors.org
