Forest Bathing Prescription
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs
The term Forest Bathing sounds refreshing and inviting, doesn’t it? The term comes from a Japanese term – Shinrin Yoku, which translates to “forest bath”. This practice invites the participant to “bathe” in the atmosphere of a forest by simply walking in the woods, unplugged for an undisturbed amount of time.
According to the American Psychological Association, the typical American spends more than 10 hours per day in front of a screen. This alarming fact made me stop, take a pause, and reflect. It is no wonder that Americans seem disconnected, stressed, and burned out. We have made a cultural shift of stepping away from our deeper, healing connection to the natural world and have filled our days with all things screen: computers, phones, and TV. Just being in nature or even viewing nature scenes can reduce anger, fear, and stress. The natural smell of the woods interacts with our brains and produces an increased sense of being alive.
How we spend time in different environments can increase or reduce stress levels. What we see, hear, smell, and experience can change not only our moods, but also can impact our nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. The stress of an unpleasant workday or a tense home environment compacted by a long commute can cause us to feel distracted, irritable, and helpless. These feelings can elevate our blood pressure, heart rate, muscular tension, and suppress our immune system.
So how much time is needed in a Forest Bath to reverse these effects and experience well-being? According to a study in Scientific Reports the magic number is 120 minutes. With Americans' love of the screen, it seems as if we are suffering from a Nature Deficit Disorder. Could we possibly cure this disorder by having our doctor prescribe a Forest Bathing prescription? A Doctor’s Forest Bathing prescription could read like this:
One 120-minute dose of Forest Bathing 1 x per day. No medical side effects or drug interactions. Patient’s health benefits of daily Forest Bathing include:
Reduced blood pressure
Increased feelings of Mindfulness
Increase in quality of sleep
Raise in energy level
Improved Mood
Increase in the ability to focus
Boost of the immune system
Accelerated recovery from illness and injury
Stress reduction
Our upcoming Dreaming with Nature on the Summer Solstice Retreat is a great opportunity to enjoy the experience and benefits of Forest Bathing in a guided environment.
Be Well,
Jenny