Salts, perfumed oils, bubbles…. there’s no shortage of products aimed at enhancing the effects of a relaxing bath.But another kind of bathing may benefit your stress levels even more: forest bathing. No, it’s not an exotic spa treatment, and in fact, there’s no bath involved. Forest bathing, a practice that originated in Japan, involves immersing yourself in the woods. Yes, that sounds like it could be a lot of walking but with forest bathing, you make an effort to let go of your thoughts, relax, and pay attention to the sights, scents, and sounds of the forest. (Needless to say, no technology allowed!)
There’s a growing body of research on the health benefits we get from nature, whether a walk on the beach or in a park, or simply hearing birdsong outside your window. Research on forest bathing has shown that spending a few hours in the woods can strengthen the immune system and lower blood pressure and levels of stress hormones.
Some of the effects may be due to breathing in the aromatic essential oils given off by trees, known as phytoncides. But there’s no need to nail down the biochemistry to experience the relaxing effects of nature. As often as you can, make some time to go walking in the woods. And make a conscious effort to unplug — from both technology and the chatter in your mind — and shift from the usual “doing” and “thinking” to simply being.
And then let nature work its magic.
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