Your Forest Bathing

The Benefits of Forest Bathing & Forest Therapy

By Delyth Johnson T he practice of Shinrin Yoku is the Japanese term for “Forest Bathing’ or immersing oneself in the atmosphere of the forest for relaxation and wellbeing. This is a growing global wellness trend and a practice that is completely innate and natural for us. Forest Bathing originated in Japan in the 1980’s in response to increasing industrialisation and the subsequent stress and mental health decline that was observed in the population. Dr Rangan Chatterjee, BBC’s popular GP, recently tweeted some of the benefits of Forest Bathing: • reduction in blood pressure • improved symptoms of depression • lowered stress levels • improved sleep quality • improved memory and concentration • lower levels of adrenaline and cortisol • lowered blood-sugar levels • enhanced immune-system function. Forest Bathing can also offer benefits to emotional, social and spiritual health and wellbeing. It is a wellness practice, and another preventative tool in one’s “wellbeing box”, much like yoga and meditation.

Forest Therapy Forest Therapy however is a treatment and rehabilitation option for people with a mental and/or chronic health condition. People commit to Forest Therapy like they would counselling and other therapeutic solutions. A Forest Therapy intervention course may last from six to twelve weeks or a themed workshop like stress management is also available. Forest Therapy could soon become part of “green prescriptions” already being introduced in the UK after success in New Zealand and Australia. How does the forest offer such a far reaching and positive impact on us? Research states that the practice of being in the forest: • supports the endocrine (hormonal) system and therefore other biological systems • reduces the chronic stress hormone cortisol after only two hours • lowers the stress response, supports the person to move from fight or flight mediated by adrenaline and/or the longer term stress response mediated by cortisol • supports brain, eye, cardiovascular, respiration, mental and immune health including lowering inflammation • helps you feel more at peace, calm, relaxed, creative and open Formal access to Forest Therapy, where you work with a trained Forest Therapy Practitioner, is either through a private practitioner, or via your GP, who may refer you to receive Forest/Nature based interventions. Creating Your Own Practice To create your own practice, simply commit to spending some time alone in nature, especially in local forests, woodlands or your own back garden. You might dedicate two to three hours all at once, or alternatively, divide the sessions into half-hour slots throughout the week in order to receive the full two hour benefits.

Time is spent just being, opening your senses, slowing down, rather than exercising, and ideally leaving your phone behind. Take your journal, or just lie down, and learn to be still again with nature. Delyth Johnson is a Forest Bathing Guide and is studying Forest Therapy with the Forest Therapy Institute. She is also an Energy Healer, EFT and Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner. She loves to work with people to reconnect them to their true essence and power Forest Bathing dates in Cumbria and more information is on her website: www.delythjohnson.co.uk