Forest Bathing for Your Health
You can connect to the healing power of nature in many ways. For centuries, humans have come to wild places to relax and recharge.
Whether you love listening to the sound of the surf breaking on a sandy beach or spending a sunny morning walking to a remote mountaintop, there are many activities that can help explore the natural benefits nature can have for both your physical and mental health.
In Japan, there is a special way to connect to the association of nature and mental health: forest bathing.
We’re so lucky to be in Charlottesville - a place that has such beautiful national forests, gorgeous trails, and expansive ways to get outside.
WHAT IS FOREST BATHING?
Forest bathing gained traction in Japan in the 1950’s. Also known as shinrin yoku — which literally translates to "forest bath" — it is the practice of "bathing" in the atmosphere of the forest.
Around this time, people were leaving behind rural communities and settling in densely populated cities where they worked with computers and other new technologies. The economy boomed, but the health of the people began to decline. Drawing from a rich cultural history of nature reverence, the Japanese Government began studying the health impact of spending time in the forest. They looked at physiological markers like blood pressure and heart rate, stress hormone levels, immune system response, and general feelings of wellbeing. The results were so promising that more than five dozen nature trails were designated throughout Japan as forest therapy bases.
Participants in early Japanese shinrin yoku experiences would simply walk through the woods, enjoying the presence of the trees as they absorbed the quiet benefits of forest therapy.
The act of forest therapy or ‘bathing’ is simple - taking your time to walk through a forest, a remote trail, or a hike, taking stock of your space, the sounds, and your place within it. No headphones, cell phone, or extra distraction to detract from your meditation.
Forest therapy is about immersing yourself in nature to improve your mental well-being, rather than focusing on raising your heart rate through exercise, providing a chance to relax and be present.
BENEFITS OF FOREST BATHING
In its simplest of definitions, forest therapy is a mindful nature practice. Thus, the benefits are similar to a daily meditation practice:
Lowered levels of cortisol
Decrease in sympathetic nerve—a.k.a. fight-or-flight—activity
Lower blood pressure
Slowed heart rate
Better moods and lower anxiety
Not to mention! One particularly magical finding is that phytoncides, the aromatic organic compounds that trees emit—a.k.a the stuff that makes a forest smell so very good—boost our immune system. Phytoncides help protect trees from pests and pathogens, and, it so happens, protect us, too: When we breathe them in through the forest air, they increase the number of natural killer (NK) cells in our body.
WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY?
Here are some spaces that we love to walk through and where you can get started on your forest bathing journey in the Charlottesville area:
Preddy Creek Park - Located just down Route 29 is a lovely, easy trail run that you can modify to your liking. The forest is quiet, reflective, and once you’re away from the parking area, you can barely know you’re in the midst of Albemarle County. You can even access their plant list to go on your own scavenger hunt.
Brook Hill Park - This new park is a river access boat launch to the Rivanna River. This site opens access to 6 additional miles of river trail. This park is located in the northern section of Albemarle County right off Route 29 and Rio Mills Road.
Sugar Hollow Park - Sugar Hollow, known for its beginner-level hiking trails and swimming spots is located just outside of Charlottesville in Albemarle County. Sugar Hollow offers two paths spread across Moormans River, the first takes you to Blue Hole and the second to Big Branch Falls.