Forest Bathing

                  The other day I was scrolling Instagram. It is an unhealthy habit I have developed. Despite it not being very healthy, it does occasionally provide benefits. I learn about new things. Some of those things turn out to be things I can apply to my own life.  The other day I saw a post about forest bathing for mental health. I was intrigued. 

                  Forest bathing stems from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku. This practice involves “immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest” (The Cleveland Clinic). It is more than just walking through the forest. The practice requires participants to engage in the forest with all their senses. Forest bathing was started in 1982. Its basis lies in three traditional Japanese concepts: 1) Yogen, which means “being so keenly aware of the beauty of the world around you that the deep emotions you feel can’t be expressed with words,” 2) Komorebi, which is translated as “sunlight through trees”. This is a description of the relationship between the sun and the leaves, 3) Wabi sabi, which “celebrates the beauty of imperfection and impermanence.” (The Cleveland Clinic). 

                  The practice of forest bathing helps a person become in touch with the present moment in a deep way. Susan Albers, PsyD is quoted as saying, “The sights, sounds, and smells of the forest take us right into that moment, so our brains stop anticipating, recalling, ruminating and worrying.” (The Cleveland Clinic). She explains the experience as being similar to mindfulness. 

                  There is research that indicates forest bathing can improve stress, depression, and anxiety. I’m not going to get into the research here, but it is out there. I find it hopeful that depression can be improved in the forest. I think back to my college years when I lived in Humboldt County surrounded by the Redwood Forest. Those were the happiest years of my life. I still lived with depression, but those years were the time when I dealt with it the best. Could the forest have been helping me? Perhaps it was. 

                  The research I read indicated that mental health benefits required frequent and consistent walks in the forest. That is not something that is doable for most of us. Many of us do not live close to a forest. One way to take a step in that direction if you live in an urban area is to walk in nature or at a park. 

                  The Cleveland Clinic recommends some ways you can bring green space into your home if you don’t have access to any:

 

·      Open windows to let fresh air in.

·      Add a few potted plants.

·      Use a candle or oil diffuser that has a forest smell.

·      Add rocks, shells, pinecones, or crystals to your space.

·      Walk barefoot outside to physically connect to the earth.

 

Right now, I am thinking I need to take a trip up to Humboldt County. The forest is calling me. I know that is not feasible at this time, but I can imagine myself there. Perhaps visualizing myself walking through the forest will bring me some benefit. I remember being in awe at how the sun shined through the forest canopy. I always felt a sense of peace around the giant redwood trees. I wish I could capture that feeling and keep it with me. 

As someone who doesn’t benefit much from medication, forest bathing is intriguing. Angeles National Forest isn’t too much of a drive for me. Maybe I need to try immersing myself in this forest. I imagine it can’t hurt. Forest bathing could be just the thing I need to gain added benefits to my depression treatment. I still think I hear the Redwood Forest of Humboldt County calling me. I wonder if I could convince my health insurance to pay for a trip up there as a therapeutic necessity. Probably not, but I can dream.

I encourage all of us to connect with nature. There is something to be said for escaping the hustle of our urban lives. The benefits are worth it. 

 

(Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-forest-therapy-can-be-good-for-your-body-and-mind)