1.
Switch to flight mode
1.Switch to flight mode
Think of your forest bathing session as a mini digital detox. Mute those notifications until you feel like you’ve fully switched off.
What is forest bathing?
Forest bathing or shirin-yoku started in Japan in the 1980s as a government research project. Most of us feel better after a walk and some time in nature, but the researchers uncovered benefits that could even help us live longer.
Just two hours of ‘mindful exploration’ in the forest showed a reduction in cortisol (the stress hormone) and blood pressure, and better concentration and memory. They also discovered that trees release phytoncides, chemicals that have an antimicrobial effect on human bodies to boost our immune systems. You don’t even have to hug them.
Despite the name, there’s no bath involved. Forest bathing is just slowing down and immersing yourself in the forest without everyday distractions. Best of all, it’s completely free and so simple. Ready to give it a try?
How to do it?
Find a forest. Even a local park with a few trees will do. Just somewhere quiet and safe where you can soak up some nature.
2.
Slow down
2.Slow down
Walk slowly, stand or sit to give yourself time to concentrate on your surroundings and notice all the little things we miss in our busy day to day.
3.
Use all of your senses
3.Use all of your senses
Forest bathing taps into all of our senses at once for a meditative experience. Focus on each sense in turn: feel the rough bark on a tree trunk, listen to the different birdsong, notice the light filtering through the leaves, smell the rain in the air. Note: we don’t recommend tasting anything unless you packed snacks or happen to have a survival expert with you.
4.
Take some deep breaths
4.Take some deep breaths
Hunching over devices can make our breath shallow. Finish your forest bathing session with ten deep, slow breaths in and out to refresh your lungs and clear your mind.
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