Next time you’re walking in the woods, practise saying this: shinrin-yoku.
Congratulations! You’ve just said ‘forest-bathing’ (aka time spent in green spaces) in Japanese.
Forest-bathing sounds like it might involve a nasty bit of scrubbing up with sticks and moss, but is, in fact, the very real and very therapeutic act of deeply surrounding oneself in the green of nature; most especially the restorative effects of the forest.
You don’t have to remember how to pronounce it in order to get the chlorophyllic-attributes (like the amazing ability to make up words like chlorophyllic!) but I’d encourage you to try it. Studies of the effects of forest bathing include the following benefits:
- Boosts immune system
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces stress
- Improves mood
- Increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
- Accelerates recovery from surgery or illness
- Increases energy level
- Improves sleep
I’ve talked about the benefits of trail therapy before, but that was when we lived on the Sunshine Coast where one couldn’t escape the forest if you tried….although I wonder why would anyone try?
But now we live in the big shiny city of Vancouver. Luckily, although Canada is one of the most urban populations on the planet, Vancouver like most other urban centres in this country, is surrounded by the wonderful healing effects of that fabulous matriarch, Ms. M. Nature.
I do a lot of walking in the city. And although we all know that any walking is a good thing, I want to make sure I get a good forest bath at least once a week.
To be clear. This is not a New Year’s Resolution. Instead, I have a plan to head out on a new Vancouver-area trail each week.
I will either post my discoveries here, on Twitter or Facebook. This past weekend Kevin and I were off to a greenlicious start. We hiked the Capilano Pacific Trail. It was a 15-km round trip of cedar, hemlock, fern, salal, rushing rivers and glittering sunshine.
Although my right knee was protesting near the end, I swear my brain glowed brighter by the time we emerged from our forest shower of super-greenness.
Take a mossy bath. Get lost in the woods. Go green. Try shinrin-yoku.
And then? Please come back and share your trail discoveries.
Happy Hiking!
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Captivating post, Colleen–happy, green new year!
Thanks Lesley. Today the weather is definitely reminding us that we live in a rainforest! It’s not green so much as dark grey!
Yes, nothing quite like the Pacific west coast for forest bathing where everything seems prehistoric in size and lushness. Your photos remind me of Costa Rica where everything also positively glows green. Looking forward to your forest updates
No kidding on the pre-historic attributes of our Pacific West Coast wildness, Michele. Our next forest bath is planned for Sunday. Stay tuned!
Once a month we work in a forest for conservation. It is hard physical work but we are rewarded by creating a suitable habitat for butterflies and insects, and sometimes we see deer. We even slept in the forest once. It was awesome. Of course these forests are nothing like the ones you have in Canada, but I agree that nature therapy is working, you’ll sleep better, you’ll feel better.
Next time I will try saying shinrin-yoku.
Catherine, I love the idea of volunteering with a forest conservation…you’ve inspired me to look into that.
I would agree that we have some fairly spectacular forests here in Canada, but wild green spaces of any kind, anywhere, are fabulous for bathing in the green.
The research is quite astounding. I always knew I felt better when I went in the woods, but to see all the scientific evidence backing that up is a lovely validation.
PS I’ve been working on my pronunciation of shinrin-yoku too 🙂
Amazing photos, and you are glowing!! What a great thing, forest bathing. I will do it more.
Thanks Mary, the studies about the benefits from being in the forest spaces are quite incredible. Even short walks in the woods can increase white blood cells by over 50%. Clearly, we need to get out there more often!