Have you ever gone forest bathing?

[faerywings]

No, no-- not outdoor showers with soap and water.
Forest bathing as a sensory therapy walk? I have been on several ones and went on one again yesterday. What a wonderful experience! The ones I have been on have each been a little different depending on the location and the leader. All of them made me feel calmer and more centered- at least by the end. It takes me a while to quiet my brain, in case you couldn't tell. (I know, no one who knows me is surprised by that )

Yesterday's walk was at a private Christmas tree farm and the scent of the pine and fir trees was soothing and refreshing, even in the heat and humidity. For anyone who hasn't heard of forest bathing, the practice began in Japan in the 1980s as a way to combat the societal stress of working long hours in concrete surroundings. The Japanese did a ton of research that shows cortisol levels and blood pressure are lowered after a forest bathing session. Even if you don't go for the health benefits, it's a treat to take your time walking in nature, using all of your senses. I miss so much of that good stuff in my everyday life. I was able to "pet" the baby Eastern white pines and feel the different textures of mosses. Nothing like laughing at the *plops* of the frogs in the pond.

The director at the ecology center where I work wants me to assist the wonderful leader who does our Forest Bathing programs too. I can only hope that someday I can do a decent enough job.
My question for you is have you been forest bathing and what was your experience like? If you haven't what do you think you would enjoy about it?

 

[vickyday]

I love walking through the woods with my eyes open and looking for the squirrels, deer, birds, wild turkeys.... but haven't paid attention to the trees.... except for during the fall when the leaves have turned to their beautiful colors!

 

[BoatLady]

Well I have never been Forest Bathing but have spent time in the woods and find it wonderful. I can only imagine Forest Bathing but it must be like finding peace in the woods. Do you talk on this walk.
I do geocaching so that is often times looking for the treasure on walks in the woods. I used to take my older grandchildren and we would spend time talking, walking and even have our lunch sitting on a rock or a stump. I tried to teach them how wonderful Mother Nature is and peaceful woodland walks are. I would help them identify plants, trees and bird calls.
Here at my son's place in Upstate NY all we hear are birds, breezes in the trees, the smell of earth and pines. I start every morning at the pond with my coffee. Peaceful, I see why he wants to retire here.

 

[Betty Jo]

Well I have never been Forest Bathing but have spent time in the woods and find it wonderful. I can only imagine Forest Bathing but it must be like finding peace in the woods. Do you talk on this walk.
I do geocaching so that is often times looking for the treasure on walks in the woods. I used to take my older grandchildren and we would spend time talking, walking and even have our lunch sitting on a rock or a stump. I tried to teach them how wonderful Mother Nature is and peaceful woodland walks are. I would help them identify plants, trees and bird calls.
Here at my son's place in Upstate NY all we hear are birds, breezes in the trees, the smell of earth and pines. I start every morning at the pond with my coffee. Peaceful, I see why he wants to retire here.

Debby, my late husband was from NY state, Addison, and served as a policeman in Corning, NY. His mother had a mobile home on a lake near Bath. Are you anywhere near those areas?

 

[Betty Jo]

I love forest walks so much, and it's normally so peaceful and I come back with a renewed outlook on everything. I'm not sure if my treks would be considered Forest Bathing or not, but it's wonderful. Part of my growing up years, were spent on a lake where my father had a boat rental and fish camp. When I first started reading your post, Chris, my mind went straight to there and I said, "Oh yes, bathed in the lake by the woods almost daily at the fish camp!"

 

[scribler]

This is the first time I've ever heard of it. If I saw lots of birds or butterflies or cute animals, I would love it.

 

[bcgal00]

Anything outdoors is relaxing and soul soothing. My dog walks and birding trips feed my soul, quiet my mind and make me so happy.

 

[BoatLady]

Debby, my late husband was from NY state, Addison, and served as a policeman in Corning, NY. His mother had a mobile home on a lake near Bath. Are you anywhere near those areas?

We are in Parishville near Clarkson U. In the Adirondack Mtns. Remote area. Neighbors are 2 miles away. Tomorrow we leave for Lake Placid.
We were in Corning / Watkins Glen- the Finger Lakes area 2 years ago it's very beautiful there too.

 

[Betty Jo]

We are in Parishville near Clarkson U. In the Adirondack Mtns. Remote area. Neighbors are 2 miles away. Tomorrow we leave for Lake Placid.
We were in Corning / Watkins Glen- the Finger Lakes area 2 years ago it's very beautiful there too.

I haven't been to that area but it sounds like my kind of place; remote. Yes, I love the Corning, Watkins Glen area too, and we would have moved there after we were married if it weren't for the winters. We decided FL and NC fit us best.