Forest Bathing aka Shinrin-yoku (Japanese)

Lara

Lara

Friend of the Arts
Location
Mid-Atlantic Coast
No jogging, no workouts, just quiet contemplation near trees.

Scientifically proven physical and psychological health benefits.

Trees emit oils called phytoncides that help our immune systems. Forests reduce stress hormones and lower our blood pressure, reduce depression and boost energy.

City-dwellers are joining forest bathing clubs...what a fun way to make like-minded friends :eek::eek::eek:

 

The beauty of God's creation, plus the benefits of oxygen... ahhh, perfect balance ~ we exhale, the trees breathe. The trees exhale, & we breathe. In the quietude & stillness of the soul... wonderful!


 
Lara said:
No jogging, no workouts, just quiet contemplation near trees.

Scientifically proven physical and psychological health benefits.

Click to expand...

yup

it helps to live among 'em

Dzb6qTE.jpg


PfX3nHx.jpg


wUxmHfz.jpg
 

Yes, Forest Bathing makes me feel like I've been given permission to walk easy through the forest in full awareness, in peace and harmony with nature, listening to what it's telling me, and without the guilt of trying to burn calories.


 
Great thread Lara, as a nature lover I've been doing it for years, just never gave it a name. Especially nice to walk among the trees when alone, peaceful becoming one with nature.

attachment.php
 
If you can stand by a waterfall, that's the most relaxing of all.

But what do you do in the winter in a climate when all the trees have lost their leaves and the ground is covered in 2 feet of snow.
 
Beautiful photos Gary and SeaBreeze and I totally agree with the benefits of walking among the trees. When I was only about 10 years old there was a stand of pine trees near an area where my family would picnic. After lunch I would take a walk by myself in the pines and even at that age I felt a calmness come over me.
A few years back we visited the National parks on our way to visit my daughter in Oregon. The red woods were a sight to behold and the stillness and quiet was awesome. I had a hard time leaving.
 
Camper6 said:
If you can stand by a waterfall, that's the most relaxing of all. But what do you do in the winter in a climate when all the trees have lost their leaves and the ground is covered in 2 feet of snow.
Click to expand...
The Japanese study doesn't say the oils emitted are from the leaves necessarily. It says the "trees" emit the oils.

Judging from Gary O's snowy woodland photo, and the Japanese saying "just quiet contemplation near trees", I would say the effects in winter are the same if not even more enhanced by the quiet solitude a blanket of snow silences.

However, if that doesn't do it for you then you can always go indoors, grab a glass of cabernet, merlot, warm tea, or hot chocolate, put your feet up on the hearth, listen to the crackling sound, breathing in oils released from the firewood, feeling the warmth, and enjoy the mesmerizing effects of nature's basic element of fire.

Aunt Bea, interesting post about the positive ions from Niagra Falls.

Ruth, I love your special memories from childhood among the pines and redwoods, that have lasted a lifetime.
 
Camper6 said:
But what do you do in the winter in a climate when all the trees have lost their leaves and the ground is covered in 2 feet of snow.
Click to expand...

I just put on my hiking boots and walk, but most of the trails I take are tapped down already either by other hikers or animals. Hard core people who hike in the backwoods in winter just have to use snow shoes.

attachment.php


Aunt Bea said:
At Niagara Falls they tout the positive effects of negative ions.
Click to expand...

My parents had their honeymoon at Niagra Falls, I actually have a negative ionizer that I used to keep in my bedroom all the time, but it's in the basement now, haven't used it for years.
 
I texted my California daughter about this thread and she took "Forest Bath" literally and said, "we don't have a lot of water/creeks around here and the ocean is too cold for swimming". So just to clarify, "Bath" is a metaphor like when people say "bathing in the sunshine".

This thread is not about exercise or water. Forest Bath means spending more relaxed time walking slowly through the woods, quietly contemplating, and being around the tree's oil called phytoncides that help our immune system, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost energy. The Japanese named it Forest Bath and did a study on it's positive effects.
 
Old 'poem' I wrote, figured it may fit in here.

Deep into the canopy
Light streams guide the way
Sounds of unseen creatures intrigue
Scampering through fallen leaves
Songbird speaks to me from high
Searching, I see not him or sky
Embraced by earth and pulse of life
Nature is my companion
Never alone and always at peace
I walk deeper and deeper within
 
Camper6 said:
.... what do you do in the winter in a climate when all the trees have lost their leaves and the ground is covered in 2 feet of snow.
Click to expand...

Most times, I stop walking
Just standing there…among nature’s souls
Hardly breathing…to match the stillness…the quietude
Permitting this decrepit being to inhale nature’s personalities into his innermost self
Paying respect to the glories…the magnificence of frozen deities

3l14HWm.jpg




Or just standing there, not conscious of anything, with my mouth open

NyZrrEK.jpg
 
SeaBreeze that is a beautiful poem. It says it all. Gary such serene photos.

When my kids were about the age of 7 or 8 we had huge snow storm. The next morning it was so beautiful so still and quiet. I got the kids dressed and we walked out into the woods. I stood still and the kids asked why we had stopped. I told them to listen. They said they didn't hear a thing. I told them that is the wonder of it all. Complete silence. Just the 3 of us and Mother Nature. They were not impressed.
I think they appreciate it a bit more in their adult life but not the way I do. They like to hike or swim, or fish and other outdoor activities.. I like to just be with nature, I don't have to be doing anything.
 
seabreeze said:
old 'poem' i wrote, figured it may fit in here.

deep into the canopy
light streams guide the way
sounds of unseen creatures intrigue
scampering through fallen leaves
songbird speaks to me from high
searching, i see not him or sky
embraced by earth and pulse of life
nature is my companion
never alone and always at peace
i walk deeper and deeper within
Click to expand...
gary o' said:
most times, i stop walking
just standing there…among nature’s souls
hardly breathing…to match the stillness…the quietude
permitting this decrepit being to inhale nature’s personalities into his innermost self
paying respect to the glories…the magnificence of frozen deities

or just standing there, not conscious of anything, with my mouth open
Click to expand...
ruth n jersey said:
when my kids were about the age of 7 or 8 we had huge snow storm. The next morning it was so beautiful so still and quiet. I got the kids dressed and we walked out into the woods. I stood still and the kids asked why we had stopped. I told them to listen. They said they didn't hear a thing. I told them that is the wonder of it all. Complete silence. Just the 3 of us and mother nature. They were not impressed.
i think they appreciate it a bit more in their adult life but not the way i do. They like to hike or swim, or fish and other outdoor activities.. I like to just be with nature, i don't have to be doing anything.
Click to expand...
Yes, the 3 of you, SeaBreeze, GaryO', and RuthJersey, have
beautifully captured the healing essence of "Forest Bathing" with pen and pics. Thank you.

tenor.gif
 
Camper6 said:
But what do you do in the winter in a climate when all the trees have lost their leaves and the ground is covered in 2 feet of snow.
Click to expand...

You can listen to the following, and I like the idea of mediating on taking a walk in a forest while listening to music. Lovely topic and thread.

 
Oh Keesha, those are lovely photos, so serene. It is hard to leave your warm home but then you get out there, take in a deep breath of that fresh air, view the forest in all it's quiet natural splendor, snowflakes softly touch your cheeks, and then you're open for a renewal of mind, body, and spirit. You are consistent and a good example for us all.

Pinky, I watched the Podcast you posted and I like how they have a Japanese tea ceremony after their walk in the forest. They also talked about the different seasonal pluses and minuses...mostly pluses (only minus was mosquitoes in the summer).

I also thought it was interesting in the Podcast that a study showed students got better scores on their tests after Forest-Bathing. I can certainly agree that it would naturally give you clarity of mind.

And I liked warning us to leave our phones and electronics at home...but what if you run into a bear or fall in a snowdrift? That's my practical side rearing it's ugly head lol.

 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top