3 minute read
Fitness Tips
from SE23 January 2021
by SE Magazines
Forest Bathing
Fitness tips with Leanne Spencer | www.bodyshotperformance.com
Iread an article over the weekend and happened to watch an episode of Countryfile as well, talking about this idea of forest bathing. This is an idea that is very popular in Japan. I think we could learn a lot from this. In Japan, they practice shinrin-yoku. Shinrin in Japanese means
“forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through our senses.
What is Forest Bathing?
The idea is that you spend time in the woods, in the forest, literally bathing in nature. Letting nature come to you through all your senses. I spent quite a lot of time hiking in nature and in Woodlands in particular. I love the Woodland in autumn, I love the variety it offers at any time of year. But I don’t really spend time bathing in it. I usually walk purposefully through it and I am going to change that and spend more time relaxing. Stopping, slowing down and breathing.
What are the Health Benefits of Forest Bathing?
Now the concept of forest bathing might sound a bit woo-woo but there are some really huge benefits that we already know through various studies. In Scotland, for example, they have been prescribing nature for the mental health benefits for quite a while now. There is also something called Phytoncides that are emitted from the leaves and these Can You Go Out and Do More Forest Bathing? have antibacterial and antifungal properties. By Don’t let the weather put you off. There is breathing in these phytoncides it creates an effect no reason why a little bit of rain or some cold in the body of producing more white blood cells. temperatures should stop us from going out and
In doing so, it is great for the immune system. enjoying nature. There is this wonderful expression
As well as the immune-boosting health benefits There’s no such thing as bad weather, just element to forest bathing, I also just love the bad clothing. So get the right clothing on. You idea of bathing in nature. Of stopping and being don’t need to spend a lot of money on it. Often intentional and getting these physiological just adding in a couple of jumpers or a fleece chemical benefits as well. layer will do and spend some time forest bathing. I think it is an incredibly powerful idea. I Find some areas near you. Maybe discover some spend quite a lot of time in nature with my dog. new Woodland and get out there and enjoy those
So we are going to stop, take in the surroundings, immune system benefits, but those mental health smells, touch and textures of nature and we’re benefits as well. going to take a less purposeful approach to being Pretty much all of us could do with a bit of in nature. So that’s it, a simple little idea. a boost in both those areas at this current time.
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