Shinrin-yoku refers to nature therapy and the basic translation of the term is forest bathing. It’s a practice of immersing yourself in nature as a way to enhance your mental well being and physical health. It’s a connection you experience with the forest utilizing your different senses. It is a fascinating concept and there is data that shows a correlation between being in nature and reducing stress levels. Stress is a major contributor to a number of serious medical conditions.
Nature Therapy for Creativity, Problem solving and More
There are a number of studies and data that support health benefits of nature. There was a study that showed 4 days in nature improved problem solving skills by over 40%,. It logically does make sense. My personal experience is that being in nature calms me. I am able to take in all the sights and sounds and immediately feel my body slowing down. With it, comes clarity, I am able to focus and think more clearly after experiencing nature in some form. I also sleep much better on vacation when I am in nature. I was very excited when I came across the believe of nature therapy also referred to as shinrin-yoku.
Feel Good Hormones
Being in nature for a period of time has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore increasing the happy hormones referred to as endorphins in the brain. These hormones affect mood, sleep, act as natural pain relievers and more.
When immersing yourself in nature, it involves being present with your surroundings, the sights, the sounds, the scents and how you feel in a nature environment. To truly connect and block out the distractions and daily life stressors is an important goal to set.
According to a study in Frontier psychology (April 4, 2019), just 20 minutes in nature for three to four days a week can decrease one’s stress hormone levels. For eight weeks, participants were instructed to spend time in nature, for at least 10 minutes. Cortisol levels were measured before and after nature experiences. The result was a drop in stress levels by just spending 20 minutes a day in nature a few times per week. It is a small investment in your time for such wellness and health benefits. In addition, it does wonders for one’s mood.
What Should I Do
Find a park or a nature environment that you truly enjoy. Commit to devoting some time to going there. We all need a place we can go away to escape the day to day life pressures. A place where we feel more relaxed and at peace. It will become part of your routine, a sanctuary for you. I personally prefer to go on nature vacation getaways. I visit places with natural beauty where I can hike and go to the forest. Experiencing nature is what relaxes me and gets me recharged for when I go back home. It is one of the reasons I love Hocking Hills so much. It truly feels like my sanctuary. If brings me peace like nowhere else, a special and magical place. We should all be so fortunate to find that sanctuary.
