Manage Stress With Forest Bathing

How would you like to learn the ultimate stress management method? One that will truly work, remove anxiety, reduce blood pressure, increase your energy, improve mood, help with better sleep and boost your immune system? And one that is virtually free? Too good to be true, you say?

Aha, but think again! There is one, simple, fool proof technique that does all of this and more, and you don't have to pay a dime for it.   It was "invented" by the Japanese in the early 80's and its popularity skyrocketed among the stress laden Japanese people.

Shinrin-yoku

Shinrin-yoku means Forest Bathing.  People have done it for ages, but only as recently as 1982 Japan has proposed it as a stress reducing method and a good lifestyle practice.  It became popular fast as a public health project, and now it's making a big comeback all over the world!

Forest Bathing is basically a trip to a forest that involves soaking up the environment, and being in the presence of trees.  Forget iPhones or Fitbit step counts.  You don't have to walk fast.  You don't have to walk at all.  You can just meander or sit down among the trees and breathe in the phytoncides, which are the wood essential oils and other compounds derived from trees.        

But these are not just musings of a forest fanatic or a devout nature lover.  There are now scientific studies backing it all up.  And yet, I find it rather sad that the natural, God given healing methods, methods that are results proven to work in lives of many people, are often taken with a grain of salt, unless studied and proven scientifically.

So if you're one of those who cling to science for dear life, here are some hard facts.  From 2004 to 2012, Japan has spent 4 million dollars studying the physiological and emotional effects of forest bathing on humans.  Based on the results, they are now prescribing 48 hours forest bathing therapies. Another study in 2009 showed increased activity in cells boosting immune system and responsible for cancer prevention during the week following forest bathing therapy.

The Benefits? 

There are plenty! Forest bathing boosts your immune system, reduces blood pressure, reduces stress and improves mood, improves sleep, increases energy, accelerates recovery from illness or a surgery and it has shown to increase the ability to focus, even in children with ADHD.  

But there is more.  Being among the green giants will increase your sense of happiness, it will boost your creativity and appreciation for the small things in life.  If you go forest bathing with friends, it will deepen your friendship.  It will open up your senses to nature and creation all around you,  it will open your heart and mind for better communication with the Creator and it will heighten your dependence on the love of God.   

Many inspired authors agree that nature is God's second book and spending time with it creates a sense of joy and peace, as well as general feeling of content and thankfulness. It also sharpens our sensitivity to other people's needs and tragedies,  and increases the desire for prayer, meditation and communion with God.      

John Muir himself said "Thousand of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find that going to the mountains is going home.  Wilderness is a necessity." 

So here is it, from my heart to yours: go out into nature.  You don't need to drive far to find redwoods or any special kind of trees.  Trust me, any woods will do.  And I can guarantee that you will come back a changed man and woman! So Leave The Couch and Go! ;)

Sources:
Wikipedia
Quartz Media
Shinrin-Yoku