Forest Bathing
Shinrin-yoku is a term that means "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing." It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine.
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Forest bathing uses mindfulness and meditation techniques to open all five senses and connect with nature as a healing tool. Participants are guided on how to slow down, disconnect from technology, and take a break from life’s daily stressors.
From a scientific perspective, forest bathing has been shown to relieve stress & anxiety, decrease depression, reduce blood pressure, improve sleep quality, and strengthen the immune response. Similar to yoga and meditation, it is a benefit to practice forest bathing with a group and be guided by a trained professional. After learning some basic principles, forest bathing can be practiced regularly on your own.