Forest Bathing: How to Practice Mindfulness and Oneness With Nature
Has the industrialized electronics world left you feeling like the only living creature in a sea of concrete and silicon? If so, the Japanese practice of forest bathing cultivates mindfulness and can remind you of your oneness with other living things.
Better yet, this practice has impressive health benefits — and it’s free. All you need is an open area thriving with verdant green, although a spectacular vista is a bonus. If you want to strengthen your immunity, combat mental illness and restore your feeling of belonging, get into the woods. Here’s why you should use forest bathing to practice mindfulness and oneness with nature.
What Are the Benefits of Forest Bathing?
What exciting benefits can you reap from spending time amid the trees? Take a look at this short list of perks:
Better immunity: Plants emit phytoncides that activate the human immune response when inhaled. Studies on forest bathers show higher numbers of vital immunity cells for up to 30 days after exposure.
Increased physical activity levels: You might be one of the many Americans who don’t get enough exercise, but spending time in nature encourages gentle movement.
Better vision: Children raised with adequate exposure to natural outdoor spaces have a lower risk of nearsightedness.
Improved brain function: Fresh air clears the cobwebs out of your head. This reality isn’t folk wisdom — studies show simply gazing at pictures of nature eases stress and increases focus. Immersing yourself is even better.
Fewer mental health symptoms: Getting outdoors has proven benefits for easing anxiety and depression. Meditating in nature by taking mindful walks or sitting in zazen amplifies the effects.
The outdoors is the health spa everyone needs — and can access. Fortunately, the U.S. boasts millions of acres of state and national parks where you can indulge your love of the outdoors. Admission fees for parking, where applicable, are generally low and there’s often no cost to visitors who walk, bike or use public transportation to access these areas.
5 Ways to Practice Forest Bathing in Your Life
Forest bathing is the health care intervention nearly every American can afford and access. How can you reap the benefits? Try these ideas.
1. Seek Out Green Spaces
You might have to travel to get into the genuine wild, which might not be practical during busy work weeks — or possible if you lack a car. However, every city has green areas. New York’s Central Park alone spans over 800 acres, and other locations have similar urban jungles.
Find your sanctuary. It should be somewhere convenient that you can stop in regularly — such as a park where you take your work lunch break — or that lies along your commute to hike on your way home.
2. Or Create Them
What if you don’t have a convenient location? All plants emit phytoncides, so you could easily create an oasis closer to home. A balcony lined with bamboo for privacy and an interior filled with other plant species might let in traffic noise, but still makes a serene meditation spot right in your home.
3. Take a Hike
The next time you have a day off, use it to hop aboard the bus for adventure. Get to your local nature center and take a hike. Some facilities feature wheelchair-friendly trails, so there’s no reason not to spend a beautiful day exploring the countryside.
4. Go Camping
Better yet, unplug for the whole glorious weekend. Continuous exposure to electronics leaves you stressed, but your boss can’t contact you when you’re out of cell phone range.
If you don’t like the discomfort of a tent, discover the wonders of car camping. You can also find enclosures that mount on the roof of your vehicle, keeping you safely away from most crawling critters while giving you that open-air sleeping experience.
5. Get Involved in Conservation Efforts
Are you dismayed by the lack of wide-open spaces near you? Do what you can to get involved in conservation efforts. From participating in city-wide tree-planting events to serving on zoning committees emphasizing the importance of more green areas in urban planning, your contributions can make a difference. Furthermore, initiatives like park cleanups double as forest bathing.
Practice Mindfulness and Become One With Nature Through Forest Bathing
Do you feel a bit off, even if you aren’t sick? What could be lacking is a sense of connection with the world around you. Forest bathing can be the solution for both your body and mind.
