I love the outdoors! I feel very connected to nature, especially when I take Koda for walks around my neighborhood. So, when I heard about forest bathing, I had to try it.
“Forest bathing” became popular in the 80s as a remedy to help people recover from too much stress and techno-burnout. It emerged from a term created by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries called shinrin-yoku, which means taking in the forest atmosphere.
You can practice forest bathing anywhere in nature—whether it’s at a park, beach, lake, nature trail, anywhere around a few trees or any natural setting. It’s all about letting go, living in the moment and immersing your mind, body and soul into the sights and sounds and energy of nature.
Just spending a little less time worrying and more time in nature will help you become more relaxed, more motivated, happier about life and more creative. Plus, this practice will boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, ease anxiety, and even help improve your mental health.
This week, I invite you try this forest bathing exercise I’ve created just for you:
1. Visit one of your favorite nature spots—a park, the beach or any area outdoors where you can walk among some trees and foliage. Turn off your devices, so you can fully immerse yourself in this natural environment.
2. Take a couple of deep breaths. Close your eyes and just listen to all the sounds around you. What do you hear? Waves? The wind blowing? Birds chirping? The rustling of leaves? Take it all in.
3. Open your eyes and take in all the sights around you. Really look around and notice everything. Maybe it’s the shape of the clouds or the texture of a tree branch. Bask in the beauty around you.
4. Begin to walk slowly and let each of your senses soak in everything around you. Smell the fragrant flowers. Watch the leaves dance on the trees. Pick up a rock or a seashell and feel its energy in the palm of your hand. Hug the trunk of a nearby tree. If you can, walk barefooted and connect with the earth.
5. Now stand still for a moment and send love and gratitude to this sacred space that has surrounded you with such beauty. Breathe in the loving energy of the nature before you, and breathe out loving energy from your heart and soul into this wonderful place. Feel the energy coming back into you. Feel the connection. Feel the joy!
6. Keep the energy flowing with these affirmations:
I am grateful for the earth and all its gifts.
I am recharged and reinvigorated by the beauty of nature.
When my feet touch the earth, I am grounded and supported.
Nature nourishes my soul.
Write down your thoughts in your journal. What benefits did you notice? How did you reconnect with yourself? Please share your experience with me on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
Live a Soul–filled life!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.