People

Forest Bathing

A therapy movement called “forest bathing,” is helping to restore balance to people’s lives, and it doesn’t involve water or soap.

People can utilize the forests as preventative medicine – against stress, high blood pressure, and other health challenges. It’s the practice of conscious mindfulness and slowing down, while becoming immersed in nature.

Participants are guided to actively engage all five of their senses and even encouraged to talk to the trees. Connecting with nature in this way, is playful and soothing.

It turns out, that trees and plants release Phytoncides, which are chemicals that have been shown to boost the immune system, helping to combat anxiety, depression, fatigue, and ulcers.

This formal practice originated in Japan, and has quickly become a national pastime.

It’s spreading across the world, as a growing number of scientific studies, prove that actively engaging with nature is effective in healing many modern maladies.

Reconnecting with mother earth is how we can reconnect to ourselves. Because we are not just standing on this planet, we have evolved from it.

As more people slow down and rediscover the outdoors, they will discover that nature really is the best medicine… and hopefully embrace, yet another great reason to protect it.