To those searching to reconnect with nature, ¨step outside your door and come to your senses.¨ says Dr. Mattie Decker, a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide. During the Covid lockdown, the idea of being alone developed a connotation of isolation and helplessness as individuals struggled to handle the sudden social disconnect. Now, people who “forest-bathe” shift their perspective on being alone to feel interconnected with nature in ecosystems that captivate visitors yet allow passive recognition of each element and are rewarded with not only mental but physical healing.

Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing, is a term coined by the Japanese Bureau of Fishing and Wildlife Management in 1982 that expresses experiencing the forest atmosphere. Unlike recreational activities such as trail-running, mountain biking, or rock climbing which are done in nature but require more focus on movement and action, forest bathing puts a unique emphasis on mindfulness. Some forest bathers do yoga or take leisurely strolls and go to great lengths to view natural wonders, but all it requires is being present with nature. By opening your five senses to your surroundings, you discover a network of smells, sights, feelings, and tastes from complex interconnected layers of life. Essentially, you unlock a “sixth sense,” an interconnected state of mind. Realizing that life surrounds you, you liberate yourself of the individuality of isolation and embrace an interdependent ecosystem.

Of course, romanticizing our relationship with nature is nothing new. Natural alternative healing is recognized as a way to cultivate a healthy spirit, but many underestimate the actual physical benefits of being in nature. Activities like yoga that move your body can be done in nature, but being physically active isn’t the only advantage. In 2010, a Japanese research team sought to clarify the physiological effects of forest bathing in 24 forests across Japan and discovered that walking in forests for ten to twenty minutes led to a decrease in stress-related hormones.  Another study in 2007 held in the Nagano prefecture found that a three-day forest bathing trip raised the amount of various immune cells, especially NK cells which are crucial to fighting cancer, by 50%. Through these expirements, natural healing went beyond the realm of hippie, witchie nonsense, into tangible scientific evidence. 

A natural environment is ideal, but not essential for forest bathing. Every unique forest has it´s own special factors. The distinctive Japanese forests´ environments were factors in these experiments, but flying to Japan is not necessary for a forest bathing experience. I often camp in Joshua Tree and while I appreciate the unique parts of the setting, I find the sunsets from my kitchen window are just as beautiful. Forest bathing is possible anywhere nature is present.

Overreaching to find the perfect spot can often be destructive. Natural destinations that garner popularity and become tourist destinations often become overcrowded and overwhelmed with people who are sensationalized by the idea of being outdoors but do not take the time to appreciate where they are. With the growing popularity of forest bathing, it is important to not lose sight of the mindfulness aspect. Nature is present even in the densest cities, in parkways, and in our front lawns. Being mindful of nature means recognizing the nature closest to you. Deepening our connection with nature requires cultivating a healthy relationship that respects every part of it, even what’s right outside your door.