Don’t worry, this blog post is not about taking baths in the forest (haha!). Forest Bathing actually comes from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which means to immerse yourself in nature or more specifically, a forest. This practice originated in Japan in 1982 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. It was started because there was a large increase in the number of anxiety and stress-related illnesses due to rapid urbanization and technological advancements. Therefore, there was a need to find ways to reconnect with nature. Forests are actually very special in Japanese culture because they are often associated with tranquility, beauty, and spiritual renewal.
Being immersed in nature has many mental health benefits, such as reducing stress, anxiety and depression. It can also have physical health benefits, such as supporting brain function because being surrounded by trees and vegetation provides higher oxygen levels. Furthermore, trees give off phytoncides, which when inhaled, can support your body’s immune system.
Forest bathing can be done any time of the year, but my favorite time to do this activity is in the fall. While the temperatures can start to be cooler, the colors of nature are becoming more vibrant. There is also something incredibly peaceful about walking through the forest when the leaves are starting to fall and you can hear them crunching under your feet, but you’re still surrounded by incredible colors and crisp air. The purpose of forest bathing is to engage with nature using mindfulness (“the practice of being in the present moment with intention, without judging”) and meditative practices. One particular invitation or activity that I have used during Nature Wellness Walks in the fall that I have led with my colleague, Leilah Siegel, is called “color therapy.” This invitation asks you to take notice of all the nuances of color around you, not just in the trees, but also all of the other natural surroundings. You can also choose to focus on the different shades of color you may see. Another invitation that is great to do in the fall is called, “sensory thresholds.” This activity asks you to stand in one spot and notice how it feels, meaning does it feel cold, warm, or is there a breeze? Then, you would move to another spot and see how it feels there. Was there a difference between the two spots? This invitation is great to do in the fall because there may be areas where it may be cooler, but you may still be able to feel the warmth of the sun on your skin too. Simply sitting in nature and observing the beauty around you is also a great way to reconnect with the natural environment.
Extension offers Nature Wellness Walks (walks based on forest bathing practices) every spring/summer and fall throughout the many forest preserves within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Sophia Ottomanelli and Leilah Siegel, who lead these walks, are both certified forest bathing guides and forest therapy practitioners. If you would like more information on when the walks occur, please check out Extension’s event page: https://extension.illinois.edu/cook/events