What is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing, also known as “Nature Therapy,” is an immersive experience in nature that gives you an opportunity to reset your outlook on life and have an encounter with the natural world in a way that you have never experienced before.
It is a sensory practice that takes you away from your phone and computer and back to what your body yearns for…..a connection with nature. A sense of peace. A sense of relaxation. A sense of being in the present moment. It provides the perfect time to become a human “be”ing instead of a human “do” ing!
During a Forest Bathing experience, you will be invited to slow down and reconnect with nature’s perfect balance using your senses to see the sunlight playing through the leaves, smell the flowers, and feel and hear the gentle wind whispering to you to return to your native roots and discover your deeper self.
WHY IS IT CALLED "FOREST BATHING?"
Forest Bathing originated in Japan in the 1980's after researchers recognized that when farmers who moved into the cities for employment were developing auto-immune diseases. As a solution to the high incidence of ailments, the Japanese government developed Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere.” You will be bathing in the phytoncides, compounds emitted from trees and plants, that are beneficial to your physical health
Shinrin-Yoku is a scientific approach to being in nature, as it involves testing of the heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels among other measurements before and after a nature immersive experience. Forest Bathing in the United States has been scientifically researched for the physiological benefits; however, my emphasis is based more on the connection that is made with nature, yourself and others!
It is a sensory practice that takes you away from your phone and computer and back to what your body yearns for…..a connection with nature. A sense of peace. A sense of relaxation. A sense of being in the present moment. It provides the perfect time to become a human “be”ing instead of a human “do” ing!
During a Forest Bathing experience, you will be invited to slow down and reconnect with nature’s perfect balance using your senses to see the sunlight playing through the leaves, smell the flowers, and feel and hear the gentle wind whispering to you to return to your native roots and discover your deeper self.
WHY IS IT CALLED "FOREST BATHING?"
Forest Bathing originated in Japan in the 1980's after researchers recognized that when farmers who moved into the cities for employment were developing auto-immune diseases. As a solution to the high incidence of ailments, the Japanese government developed Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere.” You will be bathing in the phytoncides, compounds emitted from trees and plants, that are beneficial to your physical health
Shinrin-Yoku is a scientific approach to being in nature, as it involves testing of the heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels among other measurements before and after a nature immersive experience. Forest Bathing in the United States has been scientifically researched for the physiological benefits; however, my emphasis is based more on the connection that is made with nature, yourself and others!
What to expect?
As I am a certified Nature Therapy Guide, you can expect to be immersed in nature and experience it through a series of invitations that inspire mindfulness and an opportunity to be in the present moment.
Forest Bathing may be held in a local park, the beach, or Mounts Botanical Gardens. Don’t be confused by the name;
the experience has nothing to do with soap and water! Instead, be prepared to “bathe” in the sights, sounds and smells of
nature and wash out the noise of everyday stressors.
Sharing circles will be held after each invitation to give you an opportunity to share your experience with fellow forest bathers. You will be amazed at the connection you will make with like-minded nature lovers. You will find your tribe!
At the end of the 2-hour nature immersion, you will be offered tea made from plants foraged from our Forest Bathing location. This allows you a great opportunity to feel gratitude for nature and your fellow forest bathers!
Upon departure, my hope is that you experience this comment made by a Forest Therapy participant, “This was a mind altering experience! It has given me a greater appreciation for nature! It has given me the realization that I need to have more time with the natural world. I feel so relaxed and at peace with myself after this time in nature!”
Forest Bathing may be held in a local park, the beach, or Mounts Botanical Gardens. Don’t be confused by the name;
the experience has nothing to do with soap and water! Instead, be prepared to “bathe” in the sights, sounds and smells of
nature and wash out the noise of everyday stressors.
Sharing circles will be held after each invitation to give you an opportunity to share your experience with fellow forest bathers. You will be amazed at the connection you will make with like-minded nature lovers. You will find your tribe!
At the end of the 2-hour nature immersion, you will be offered tea made from plants foraged from our Forest Bathing location. This allows you a great opportunity to feel gratitude for nature and your fellow forest bathers!
Upon departure, my hope is that you experience this comment made by a Forest Therapy participant, “This was a mind altering experience! It has given me a greater appreciation for nature! It has given me the realization that I need to have more time with the natural world. I feel so relaxed and at peace with myself after this time in nature!”
BENEFITS
In addition to anecdotal benefits such as feeling more peaceful, more connected and closer to Nature, there is evidence-backed research which reveal physical benefits such as:
- Decreased blood pressure and lowered heart rate
- Reduced anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue
- Decreased stress and lowered anxiety
- A boost to the immune system
- Improvement in concentration & memory
To see the evidence-backed research, check the links below:
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