Forest Bathing (Caitlin McClafferty)

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-forest-therapy-can-be-good-for-your-body-and-mind

Forest bathing is a practice that originates from Japanese culture. It does not mean taking a literal bath in the forest, but refers to the experience of immersing yourself in the atmosphere of nature. Forest therapy is more than just being in the woods. Forest therapists help people participate in experiences in nature that force them to use all of their senses. This is not a new practice and has been around since 1982. There are three different traditional concepts to forest bathing. Yugen, komorebi, and wabi sabi are three main aspects of forest bathing. The first one is about being aware of the beauty of the world around you that the emotions you feel towards nature cannot be expressed through words. Komorebi in the English language translates to “ sunlight leaking through trees” and emphasizes the connection between the sun and the leaves while Wabi Sabi celebrates the imbalances and imperfections of the world. This practice helps with mindfulness and has many health benefits. Using your senses and realizing what is around, you can help you relax on top of being outdoors. Different studies have shown that it can reduce cholesterol, which is a stress hormone. Another research study found that people who walked in nature for two hours a day, twice a day had greater levels of cancer killing immune cells. There are many benefits to forest therapy that can benefit society as a whole.

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