Shinrin-Yoku – Japan’s forest bathing

Why we feel good in forests/Nature ?

The answer is we all love “Shinrin-Yoku” by default !

■What is it ?
Shinrin-yoku(森林浴、しんりんよく) translates to “forest bathing.” Or is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere”

■The idea behind it
The idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area and walks in a relaxed way there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be achieved. This bath cleanses us physically & mentally.

■Science backs it up too
We have always known this intuitively. But in the past several decades there have been many scientific studies that are demonstrating the mechanisms behind the healing effects of simply being in wild and natural areas. (some of this research is available here)

For Example : Many trees give off organic compounds that support our “NK” (natural killer) cells that are part of our immune system’s way of fighting cancer.

■Short History & Japan connection:
Forest bathing as a medicinal practice in Japan goes back to the 1980s when the government began to notice the adverse effects of the tech boom on Japanese city dwellers, such as depression, distraction and aches and pains. These effects have only gotten worse with time, and are now recognized in cities all over the world. It’s difficult to truly relax in cities, with sensory overload caused by heavy traffic, dense populations and long hours spent in offices. High demand for real estate has made many cities “green-poor”, with few trees and parks to give even the illusion of nature.

This is where the importance of forest bathing becomes apparent. Being in a forest and paying attention to our surroundings stimulates the senses enough to ease the drive to do something, yet is calming enough to allow us a moment of peace.

1980s was the period when Japan witnessed boom in National Parks, camping areas or any other outdoor activities.

■We knew this intuitively but now science also supports this
The scientifically-proven benefits of Shinrin-yoku include:
* Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body’s Natural Killer (NK) cells.
* Reduced blood pressure
* Reduced stress
* Improved mood
* Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
* Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
* Increased energy level
* Improved sleep

Any forest nearby is fine but Here is the popular list of forests in Japan…

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