Forest Bathing

I’ve spent at least half my life in the woods among trees. Starting at the young age of 13, I sought refuge there from the stress of school and the overprotectiveness of a parent.  Many a time I lay on the ground without a worry of ticks, or spiders, or whatever creature insect might be crawling around me. Listening as I lay there to the trees speak.  If you are reading this and find yourself hesitant, curious, doubtful, or interested—I invite you to make time to go somewhere, anywhere there are trees and quiet. Sit. Release your worries, stress, anger, hurt and relax in the sway that is a tree. Now at 55, I am still among trees (& still among them at 61) and will be long after this re-imerging trend is gone. (it reimerged again in 2025). Forest bathing or Shinrin -yoku (“taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing”) has been around since the 1980s and originated in Japan as a form of therapy in nature. I hope people try it, connect with nature, and make a vital connection between planet earth and their health, igniting in them a sense of motivation to protect both.

The scientifically-proven benefits of Shinrin-yoku include:

• Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body’s Natural Killer (NK) cells.
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Improved mood
• Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
• Increased energy level
• Improved sleep

The National Institute of Health concludes and accepts proof—it works!  Read here

Science facts here

Forest bathing in Canada  here

Health study articles concluding forest bathing is good for you here

Shinrin-yoku explained here

Trees communicate with each other article by New Scientist here

Books about trees:

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben here

Article about this book in The Guardian UK here

Walks in the Wild by Peter Wohlleben here

**these books are the best and most informative books on trees & nature that I’ve read and I know you’ll love them**

Plant a tree –here is an organization that can help you

One Tree Planted here