Forest Bathing: A Walk in the Forest for Your Mind and Body.

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Abstract

ne and the shade. Look for flowers, butterflies and birds. Listen to the wind blow. A simple walk outside will help to reduce stress, release tension, and improve muscle development.</p><figure id="54f2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*rqx2K7W3K5BbUEV2Ko_W1Q.jpeg"><figcaption>Photos by <a href="undefined">Gerad Carrier</a></figcaption></figure><p id="97fa">I know that if I have not been active during the day, if I have spent too much time sitting, I will not be able to sleep at night. I need to walk every day, for my mind and for my body. Where do I walk? We don’t have a forest nearby. We live in a suburban neighborhood in Florida, but there is space to walk. There is a park with green open spaces and with large oak trees within walking distance of our house, and there are sidewalks throughout the neighborhood and park.</p><p id="c4ae">So, I walk almost every day, but not alone. I usually walk with my grandkids. We walk and talk and sometimes wander off the sidewalk paths to investigate nature around the pond near our house. There is nothing more fun than checking to see if there are tadpoles in the puddles or looking for small flowers near the ditches. We often take the dog along too and watch to see what catches the dog’s attention. We watch to see when it stops and to see which senses it is using, and then we use ours to learn more about what is happening around us. We are getting exercise, relaxing and relieving any stress we have. Getting outside is good for the body and for the mind.</p><p id="4a01">Walking and talking with the grandkids also helps me to find out what is happening in

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their lives. It gives them space and time to talk to me. It is an important communication time.</p><p id="fba7">What do you do? Do you forest bathe? Where do you walk? Who walks with you? Do you talk or just listen as you walk?</p><div id="981e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/hiking-on-a-steep-jungle-path-a60792708156"> <div> <div> <h2>Hiking on a Steep Jungle Path</h2> <div><h3>We hiked on a rainforest trail in the highlands of Malaysia.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*GKuBwqAw87xVo6Y-lE_ObA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="7f16"><b>Research resources:</b></p><div id="1d0f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://environhealthprevmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12199-019-0822-8"> <div> <div> <h2>Medical empirical research on forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): a systematic review - Environmental…</h2> <div><h3>Aims This study focused on the newest evidence of the relationship between forest environmental exposure and human…</h3></div> <div><p>environhealthprevmed.biomedcentral.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*gOlMkXbxDm3ZbBWA)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

What if there is no forest nearby?

A walk in Kyoto, Japan (Photo by Rhonda Carrier)

I first heard the term “Forest Bathing”, Shinrin-yoku, when I lived in Japan. “Forest Bathing” means to go for a walk through a forest. The Japanese believe that walking in a forest helps to calm the mind and improves the health of the body.

My husband and I have enjoyed our recent trip to Malaysia and have done several forest hikes. We know the feeling of finishing the hike with weary and stretched muscles. We know that although we are tired, after each hike we feel healthier. Research shows that a walk in a forested area helps to release stress and improves the overall fitness by lowering blood pressure and improving the immune system. A walk in a forest or green area means you are getting exercise, and you are being mindful of nature. It is good for your body and good for your mind.

My husband on Bishop’s Trail in Fraser’s Hill, Malaysia (Photo by Rhonda Carrier)

What can you do? Not everyone has a forest nearby, but you can get outside to go for a walk. Find a green space, possibly a neighborhood walk or a nearby park or garden area. Enjoy the sunshine and the shade. Look for flowers, butterflies and birds. Listen to the wind blow. A simple walk outside will help to reduce stress, release tension, and improve muscle development.

I know that if I have not been active during the day, if I have spent too much time sitting, I will not be able to sleep at night. I need to walk every day, for my mind and for my body. Where do I walk? We don’t have a forest nearby. We live in a suburban neighborhood in Florida, but there is space to walk. There is a park with green open spaces and with large oak trees within walking distance of our house, and there are sidewalks throughout the neighborhood and park.

So, I walk almost every day, but not alone. I usually walk with my grandkids. We walk and talk and sometimes wander off the sidewalk paths to investigate nature around the pond near our house. There is nothing more fun than checking to see if there are tadpoles in the puddles or looking for small flowers near the ditches. We often take the dog along too and watch to see what catches the dog’s attention. We watch to see when it stops and to see which senses it is using, and then we use ours to learn more about what is happening around us. We are getting exercise, relaxing and relieving any stress we have. Getting outside is good for the body and for the mind.

Walking and talking with the grandkids also helps me to find out what is happening in their lives. It gives them space and time to talk to me. It is an important communication time.

What do you do? Do you forest bathe? Where do you walk? Who walks with you? Do you talk or just listen as you walk?

Research resources: