What is Forest Bathing?
Forest Bathing is the act of slowly walking through a forest while utilizing all your senses to take in the atmosphere. The Japanese term Shinrin-yoku (Shinrin means “forest,” and yoku means “bath”) was originally formulated by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 1982.
Forest Bathing has been proven to reduce stress and blood pressure, strengthen the immune and cardiovascular systems, boost energy, mood, memory, creativity, and concentration, among many other advantages.
The book, Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness was published in 2018 by Dr. Qing Li, the Chairman of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine. The book details the process of Shinrin-Yoku along with the data showing the mental and physical benefits that come from this practice. Dr. Li describes it as “simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world.”
BK’s Story
About 6 years ago, I found myself beginning to dislike the busy environment of New York City. I was finally able to save enough money to afford a used car and I decided to head west with two really great friends. I remember the moment we arrived at the Olympic National Park in Washington State, immediately I felt this sense of calmness and peace wash over me. Being in the presence of towering spruce, fir, and cedars like I’d never seen before.
Seeing these big trees in person simply stops you in your tracks. How is this real? How old is it? Why aren’t these trees everywhere? I remember coming to a complete halt when we saw the Hall of Mosses, a small pocket of big leaf maples with moss growing all over them. Not only did I feel physically and mentally refreshed but also walked away with a new-found curiosity for trees and forests around the United States. This experience has led me to where I am now, traveling the country, and documenting old growth.
The Old Growth Forest Network, founded by Joan Maloof, is the U.S. national network of protected, native, publicly-accessible mature forests. Their network shares detailed information on each forest, organized by state, and is a great resource to locate the nearest forest.