Have you heard of the Japanese tradition called Shinrin Yoku [森林浴]? This tradition is a type of therapy that can be translated as forest bathing and consists of going to a forest or making contact with nature for a while.
I think most people recognize the importance of having contact with nature and how invigorating and relaxing it is to walk through a beautiful forest and see the komorebi sunlight. The Japanese go further by transforming this practice into a therapy and a word.
This Japanese practice of walking in the forest began in the 1980s with numerous studies and disclosures of its benefits. The term Shinrin Yoku was coined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan in 1982.
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How to do a forest bath – Shinrin Yoku?
The forest bath does not consist merely of walking quickly through a grove; it can be relaxing, but the results are lower. For a complete experience of shinrin yoku, the participant needs to meditate while observing nature.
Moreover, the walk should be very slow, paying attention to all the details such as the movement of the leaves, the sound of the trees, and the activity in the area. This allows for a complete and relaxing immersion in the forest. It’s no wonder that people make relaxation videos with nature sounds or create landscape paintings.
Breathe deeply to enjoy the oxygen from the trees, run your fingers over things to feel the texture, and appreciate all the sounds of the environment. It is recommended to have this experience alone and without electronic devices.
You don’t always need a forest; just apply the method and enjoy any location, whether it’s your home garden or a park around the corner. The secret is to relax and meditate, appreciating the environment around you and focusing on nature.
This practice is very common in Japan; it’s no wonder that the country is filled with parks and gardens, not to mention that 80% of Japan is forests and mountains. What makes a simple walk in the forest beneficial for health?
What are the benefits of Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing
The secret behind forest bathing boils down to the allelochemical substances produced naturally, known as phytoncides. Their job is to protect plants from insects and slow the growth of fungi and bacteria.
When humans are exposed to phytoncides, these chemicals are scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure, relieve stress, and boost the growth of white blood cells that even combat cancer.
Research conducted by Dr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki from Chiba states that Shinrin Yoku reduces blood pressure, heart rate, as well as stress and anxiety. It is believed to improve more than 50% the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for calmness.
Even the smell can reduce stress and irritation in the body. Walking through the forest stabilizes blood pressure and strengthens people’s immunity. All of this happens because our senses such as sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch are in contact with nature.
In addition to physical improvements in the body, relaxing in the forest can eliminate problems of depression, anxiety, and anger. You can enhance your experience by having a meal in the forest, practicing yoga, doing breathing exercises, aromatherapy, and especially visiting a natural hot spring in the mountains (onsen), which also brings numerous health benefits.
Other listed benefits of Shinrin Yoku are:
- Increase in NK cells in the body;
- Improved mood;
- Increases concentration capacity;
- Helps in recovery from surgery or illness;
- Increases energy; Improves sleep;
- Increases sense of happiness;
- Increases vital force and energy flow;
The Meaning of the Word Shinrin Yoku
If we search in a dictionary like jisho, we will see that Shinrin Yoku literally means forest bath, but other suggested translations are forest therapy and peaceful walking through the woods for health benefits.
First, let’s talk about the word composed of the ideograms [森] which means forest or grove, followed by the ideogram [林] which means small forests and groves. Ending with the ideogram [浴] which means to bathe, but conveys the idea of being favored, that is, receiving the benefits of nature. +
The combination of the two ideograms for forest [森林 shinrin] simply means forest, so the word is just the combination of forest + bath. What do you think about the forest bath Shinrin Yoku? I hope you enjoyed the article. We appreciate your comments and shares.
If you liked the idea of walking through the forest, you will enjoy the article about the rays of sunlight that pass through the trees or also our article about the language of flowers and their meanings Hanakotoba.
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