Your Guide to Forest Bathing

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Forest bathing is a feature of Japanese-style wellness and a sensory and mindful experience. J-wellness has been trending recently. It brilliantly marries referred traditions with innovative technology. Typically the Japanese have a fast-paced and stressful lifestyle and sometimes they find new ways to get away from it all, which are taking on all over the world. 

Forest bathing in Japan is known as shinrin yoku. It’s a practice of being calm and quiet amongst the trees while making sensory observations. By getting absorbed in nature in this way, you’re able to relieve stress and boost health, wellbeing, and happiness. Breathing and meditation are also important parts of the journey. Here are some tips on how to de-stress by forest bathing.

Avoid all distractions

No smartphone for a day or even a couple of hours is a mindful exercise in itself. When you’re forest bathing, it’s a good idea to avoid outside distractions, either from your phone or other devices. This will give you a better chance of relaxing and having a more mindful experience. 

You can go forest bathing anywhere you like. If there’s a beautiful woodland near you, perfect, as long as it’s somewhere you can get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. 

Take long breaths

It’s important to move through the forest slowly and calmly, taking deep breaths as you do. Breathe down into your abdomen, and take in the smells of the forest through your nose. Breathing techniques are an important part of any meditative activity. 

Taking longer breaths helps tell your body to relax. Forest bathing is a sensory experience so it’s vital to take your time and focus on what’s around you. What sounds can you hear and smells can you notice?

Keep your eyes open

When you’re forest bathing, sight is just as important as any other one of your senses. Keep your eyes open during the practice, and take in the wonderful colors of the wilderness. Wear your glasses or sunglasses so you can see clearly. If you need new lenses or sunglasses to make you feel more comfortable, try eyeglasses.com.

Sit quietly in mindful observation. The sights, sounds, and smells should have a soothing effect. You might notice more flora and fauna in your local area that you might have never seen before. If you’re still enough some local wildlife might come your way.

Stay as long as you can

Forest bathing is a calm and complete experience, it’s important that you take your time. According to research, woodland sounds help relaxation. You’ll get more out of it if you plan to stay for a couple of hours. Think about a good time to go, perhaps outside of peak hours. You could try in the morning or a weekday. 

Forest bathing is ideal for both adults and children alike, so encourage your family to go too. It’s a fun way to teach yourself concentration and mindfulness, and you’ll feel a lot happier after getting in touch with nature. 

Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels

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