Feeling stressed, anxious or angry? Why not try a walk in the woods?
Recent research shows that a walk in the woods or forest bathing has been proven to improve a person’s overall health and mental well-being. Some doctors are prescribing forest bathing as a non-medical intervention shown to reduce the burden of healthcare concerns.
In the hard-charging Japan in the 1980s, shinrin-yoku — which literally translates to forest bath — was developed to offset the obsessive work culture that was taking a toll on the ambitious population. The practice of helping people reconnect with nature and protect forests, worked as an antidote to burnout from the tech boom.
Still today, the practice of spending time in nature to improve physical and mental health continues to be an important part of preventative health care in Japan.
In the United States, forest bathing has become rather trendy. So much so that local groups are embracing the calming, contemplative practice best done quietly surrounded by nature.
Recently, a group from First United Church of Christ Northfield went on an overnight forest bathing retreat at the Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center in Farmington. The 14-member group was led by Adam Cerling, interim associate pastor, and Johanna Schussler.
Schussler, a former water scientist, is a certified forest therapy guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. Schussler said she discovered Forest Bathing about three years ago and immediately fell in love with the practice, because it so perfectly weaves together my experiences with nature, mindfulness, and group facilitation.
Now, when she leads forest bathing walks, she explains that the focus falls upon the sensory relational experience, not on intellectual learning or getting some exercise.
“Forest bathing is a relational practice of embodied awareness, of slowing down, of taking time to experience and remember our connection to nature, to each other, and to ourselves,” writes Schussler in a recent blog post. “Forest bathing is practiced in partnership with the land, and can be done wherever nature and humans meet.”
Forest bathing is different from a hike or an interpretative nature walk, she explained. Forest bathing walks often span less than a half mile and involve being calm and quiet among trees, observing nature, and breathing deeply.
With the emphasis upon heightening all the senses, forest bathing can also include moving slowly and aimlessly, following your nose, while experiencing and savoring the sounds, smells, textures, tastes and sights.
Research shows that even spending as little as 15 minutes in nature can make a difference on a human’s physical and mental health. Studies show that the benefits of regular forest bathing can help improve sleep quality, improved mood, improve ability to focus, reduce stress levels, lower heart rate and blood pressure, boost immune system and even accelerate recovery from illness.
Church retreat
Before heading out on the two guided walk sessions on trails at the Mount Olivet Retreat Center, Cerling led a “silence your phone” meditation asking participants to be screen-free for 24 hours.
Schussler said to start slowing down and to let nature soothe one’s body and mind, it begins with finding a comfortable spot to sit in a folding chair or lay down on a yoga mat. She recommends taking a journal to record the sensations experienced while quietly soaking up the surrounding nature. Or else meditating with eyes open or closed. Or simply focusing on one’s breath and letting thoughts, worries and concerns melt away.
Whether people try to meditate in nature by themselves or with a group, scientific studies show that the benefits ultimately point to a measurable decrease in levels of the stress hormone cortisol and adrenaline as well as blood pressure.
This sort of mindfulness practice can be inserted into one’s daily life by just sitting comfortably and noticing their breath, she said. The practice deepens when one adds in the connection with nature.
Local News
Comments / 0