• Home
  • Our Story
  • Trainings
    • Upcoming Events
  • Nature Activities
  • Flow Learning
  • Resources
    • Online Course
    • Books
    • Online Resources
    • Joseph's Blog
    • Video Series
    • Articles
  • Joseph Bharat Cornell
    • Greg Traymar
  • Worldwide
    • USA Instructors
  • Contact
  • Donate Now
  • Press Kit
  • Professional Organizations

What everyone should know about Forest Bathing 

1/24/2017

21 Comments

 
Forest BathingPicture


​​“Between a human and a tree is the breath. We are each other’s air.” —Margaret Bates
 
Did you know that trees are among the world’s greatest healers? Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is the Japanese practice of going to the forest to receive mental and physical healing.
 
Forest plants emit essential wood oils and airborne chemicals to protect themselves from insects and decay. Research has shown that forest aromas benefit humans as well.
 
Studies from Japan, Finland, the United States and other countries have shown that forest bathing can greatly reduce stress, increase joy level, lower blood pressure, improve concentration, strengthen the immune system, builds up vitality, and has powerful anti-cancer benefits.
 
All cultures recognize that trees uplift the human spirit. To ancient people, trees were channels for the gods, and forests were humankind’s first temples and sanctuaries.
 
Trees, living high in the sky, receive 95 percent of their sustenance from the atmosphere. Drawing nourishment from the sun and sky, trees express a divine benevolence. Buddhist scriptures speak of the unlimited kindness of trees—how they give generously, and offer protection and shelter to all beings.
 
Forest bathing allows us to immerse ourselves in the benevolent and healing power of trees. All plants have phytoncides—active substances with antimicrobial properties that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, microscopic fungi and protozoa. Some trees release into the atmosphere volatile phytoncides that are capable of producing an effect at a distance.
 
Studies have shown that the air in coniferous forests, and particularly in young pine forests, is particularly sterile and free of harmful microflora.
 
In 1982, the director of the Japanese Forest Agency hypothesized that “bathing” in a phytoncide-rich environment would promote better health. He proposed the idea of forest bathing for relaxing the mind and for stress management.
 
In 2004, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries initiated scientific studies to prove the therapeutic effects forests have on human health. These studies showed positive results for numerous areas of physical health. Since then, other studies conducted in the U.S. and Europe have found the same results.
 
In Japan today there are 42 approved Forest Therapy Bases offering mental and physical healing. At some sites, forest therapy patients stay for two nights, during which they receive a medical checkup upon arrival, spend their free time walking in the woods and have a final checkup before leaving. Patients typically see significant improvement on their final exam. Many Japanese companies include forest therapy in their employee health-care benefits and wellness programs.

—Joseph Cornell from "The Sky and Earth Touched Me"

In my book, "The Sky and Earth Touched Me", I created a Forest Bathing activity to help people consciously draw more inspiration and deepen their rapport with trees. 

​Download my Forest Bathing activity 

For more information about forest bathing research, please check out these articles.

https://effortlessoutdoors.com/how-to-go-forest-bathing/
​

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/17/forest-bathing-is-latest-fitness-trend-to-hit-u-s-where-yoga-was-30-years-ago/
 
http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
 
https://www.spafinder.com/blog/trends/2015-report/forest-bathing/

Picture
21 Comments
Phiroza tafti
1/24/2017 11:23:49 pm

Wow! Sounds cool!

Reply
Greg
1/25/2017 12:19:46 am

Yes, Phiroza it is very cool! Dont' forget to download the Forest Bathing activity to try for yourself. :)

Reply
Elizabeth Murray link
2/6/2017 12:32:06 pm

I love Forest Bathing and I offered it to guests at Post Ranch in Big Sur in late Novermber. We had rainie days walking in redwood forests, standing inside the giants and oak woodlands, and orchards. Everyone was able to feel the different trees, eco systems, taste the editable plants - we even made a living tea with gathered herbs. As it rained we could hear the forest waking up and singing with joy- all the moss and ferns danced before our eyes!

Reply
Angely Foo
6/8/2017 11:26:44 pm

Hi! May I know how exactly do I utilize the Forest Bathing pdf? If I were to conduct forest bathing for a group of 10 people, do I read it out as instructions for them? Like how people conduct meditation session?

Reply
Greg Traymar
6/9/2017 09:51:11 am

Dear Angely,
Here is the best way, from our experience to utilize the Forest Bathng Activity for a group of people.

1.) Before taking your group outdoors, find a nice forested area to take your group that is beautiful, has large trees and is quiet. Depending on your location, you might not be able to find the ideal location, but do the best you can.

2.) Once you have gathered your group together in the forest. Introduce the benefits of Forest Bathing. A powerful introduction we give is oftentimes just as important as the activity itself.

3.) Briefly describe how the parts of the activity and what they will do. We just presented this activity in Germany and I demonstrated "finding a magical portal between two trees." As I walked through the portal I then began the process of reading the Forest Bathing handout and doing the activities.

4.) Depending on your group you might give them about 20 minutes to go on their own with the handout and do this activity in silence.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Reply
Angely
6/12/2017 06:54:32 pm

Hi Greg,
So basically, I give them the handouts, do an explanation and then give them about 20 minutes to go through the activity on their own?

Greg
6/12/2017 09:16:28 pm

Yes! As for the time, you may need to shorten or lengthen it depending on how engaged the group is. Good luck!

Reply
Bob S.
8/1/2017 04:32:26 am

I've been a docent at Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu for some time now. I've developed a relationship with the incredible trees there. I believe they are sentient entities & have experienced the physical and mental healing they so freely give.
Aloha

Reply
neha Chaurasia link
1/31/2018 11:19:28 pm

Thanks for writing this interesting article on forest bathing.I was amazed after reading this article.Ones again thanks a lot.

Reply
Esmeralda link
4/2/2020 04:23:13 pm

Parabéns pelo artigo!Muito bom,

Reply
Nicole Short link
1/7/2021 05:21:15 am

First time reading much appreciate it

Reply
Esmeralda link
1/22/2021 04:41:05 pm

Very interesting article.
I didn't know about all these.
It will be a good thing to talk with friends.

Reply
toptreeremovalcanberra.com.au link
3/8/2021 07:39:48 pm

Nature can truly heal and nurture our wounded hearts and rebalance our mind.

Reply
dale styen link
3/11/2021 03:41:08 am

I’m here to appreciate you work This blog is very helpful for me. It’s such a beneficial for visitors. All of our products have designed to be used for Novelty, Education and Entertainment purposes only.
Our Availability is 24/7hrs So you can contact us any time.
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickdocsfix@gmail.com
Website: http://bankstatementseditor.com

Reply
able charlie link
3/11/2021 07:24:14 pm

This is an Excellent & interesting post. It’s such a beneficial for visitors. Contact us on WHATSAPP for quick response. You can also start a LIVE CHAT session to place an order without any hassle. We recommend you to contact us even after placing the order using our forms.
You can Contact us at:
LiveChat:https://tawk.to/chat/5b056f7bd0f6723da57ecd06/default/?$_tawk_popout=true
Call / Message on WhatsApp : +1 914 274 8666
Contact: (+1) 914 202 3836
Email: quickdocsfix@gmail.com
Website: http://bankstatementediting.com

Reply
Bermuda link
3/16/2021 02:13:52 pm

Great article!
Loved to read all these!!!
Thank you!

Reply
Bermudas link
4/19/2021 08:03:38 pm

I forgot to mention in my previous comment that this blog is great!
I hope you publish more, and keep us updated!

Reply
Kevin Hughes link
10/6/2022 04:39:30 am

Police know receive team white information according. Within image nor relationship arrive. Choice prepare return girl.

Reply
Johnny Parker link
10/18/2022 06:41:24 pm

Process increase cup treatment. Industry do food.
Book laugh issue poor. Activity pay property ever arrive.

Reply
Atlas Vistas link
10/29/2022 03:57:45 am

Brilliant article, thank you! I found the section about our ancestors connection to trees particularly fascinating! :) We have so much to learn from those who trod the earth before us. Sometimes in our modern world we assume that we know everything, but I feel we are missing the deep rooted connection to nature our ancestors will have had. As you can see.... https://bit.ly/AtlasVistas I spend a lot of time in forests looking for rivers and streams :) However I do sometimes forget to slow down and appreciate where I am. I'll definitely following your practice guide next time so thank you so much for putting it together! :) Once again, thank you for such a wonderful post!

Reply
certificate iii in arboriculture Tamworth link
1/17/2023 10:11:13 pm

Pruning or removing trees can be dangerous work, so we definitely recommend hiring a professional arborist.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Joseph Cornell

    President & Founder of Sharing Nature Worldwide

    Archives

    June 2017
    January 2017
    February 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Phone: (530) 478-7650          Email: info@sharingnature.com         Sharing Nature Worldwide © 2021
​Sharing Nature Worldwide is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization   Tax-ID: 47-1259066

  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Trainings
    • Upcoming Events
  • Nature Activities
  • Flow Learning
  • Resources
    • Online Course
    • Books
    • Online Resources
    • Joseph's Blog
    • Video Series
    • Articles
  • Joseph Bharat Cornell
    • Greg Traymar
  • Worldwide
    • USA Instructors
  • Contact
  • Donate Now
  • Press Kit
  • Professional Organizations