Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice that involves spending time immersed in nature. Hiking is also a great activity to be in nature, but hiking is a more sporty activity. The shinrin-yoku session is instead a moment in which your senses will come into contact with nature in a different way, where physical activity and movement take a back seat.
There are many health benefits associated with forest bathing. For example, these include:
- Stress Reduction: Being surrounded by nature helps reduce stress levels in the body.
- Improved immune system: Spending time in nature has been proven to help reduce the risk of disease, stimulate the immune system and improve the quality of sleep.
- Reduction of blood pressure: Researchers have shown that the forest has a beneficial effect on blood pressure.
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression: People who have spent time in nature often report feeling more energetic and positive.
- Improved mental well-being: a study conducted in Japan showed that a short walk in the woods can improve mental well-being, starting from 30 minutes and reaching its maximum levels in a session of approximately 2-3 hours.
In general, spending time outside, particularly in nature, can have beneficial effects on physical and mental health.
How to involve friends
If you want to promote this practice with your friends and come to spend time in nature here are some tips:
- Share information: Talk to friends, family, colleagues and share information about what forest bathing is and its benefits.
- Request an event for your group: organize moments in which participants can experience forest bathing, the forests I will propose are perfect. This way you can make the practice known to a wider audience.
- Use social media to share the practice of forest bathing. You can see my website and my social network channels where you will find information, images, videos and stories.
- Request guided experiences: as a forest bathing expert you can contact me to have guided experiences and try this practice. This way you can participate yourself and bring your friends and colleagues to a day (or a set of planned days) to practice forest bathing in a safe and effective way.
Find out all the info on how Fortest Bathing is seen by NationalGeographic and on the health benefits you could have by visiting the destinations proposed by the site or by coming to practice your ‘forest immersion’ in our Sibillini Mountains.
Do you want more information? Contact me on 3479108946 or via email or Telegram
