ForestBathing:
How The Presence Of Trees Can Help You Find Health And Happiness
Words By Sophia Nicolov Photography By Elena Cremona & Maela Ohana West-coast nature therapy
beaches and camping beneath trees, I
I spent a summer forest-bathing on the
experienced this for myself.
west coast of British Columbia, Canada, before I knew it had a name and was actively
Living between London and Leeds, two of
practised by people. Four days after my
the most polluted cities in the UK, I noticed
return from this Pacific region, I received
how clear the air and how sharp the light
Qing Li’s Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science
was in and around the forests of Vancouver
of Forest-Bathing as a birthday present.
Island. You could smell the air – a mixture of
The timing of this gift couldn’t have been
plant matter, water, soil and other scents I
more perfect. The claustrophobia of London
can’t quite put my finger on. I found myself
felt acute after my time away but this book
mindful and present, hyper-conscious of
provided me with comfort as I yearned for
my own mental wellbeing as well as that of
the towering cedars of Vancouver Island.
the ecosystem I was in at that moment and
Mixing popular science with creativity, Dr
the wider natural world. I was experiencing
Qing Li reinforces the symbiosis between
the interconnectedness of these things. I
humans and trees, compelling us to
felt horror and shock driving past areas
understand that our lives depend on their
that had been deforested; the loss of forest
very existence and proximity. Forest-bathing
cover was a stark contrast to the lush
“I found myself mindful and present, hyper-conscious of my own mental wellbeing as well as that of the ecosystem I was in at that moment and the wider natural world. ”
environments I had been spending time in. It was a harsh reminder of the reality of human over-exploitation. Being exposed to both is sobering but reinforces the need for their protection. With our increasing estrangement from the natural world and a growing awareness of the impacts of this separation on our societal and individual wellbeing, The
has a multitude of benefits and, according to
Art and Science of Forest-Bathing is a timely
Li, it helps alleviate the symptoms of stress,
reminder of the urgent need to preserve
anxiety and depression. It can boost immune
trees and forests.
systems and ‘help us live longer, better and happier lives’. Spending day after day in the
What is forest-bathing?
temperate rainforests of Vancouver Island,
Li has been specialising in forest medicine
hiking trails, relaxing on forest fringed
for two decades and is the President of the
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