Health Benefits of Forest Bathing

Forest bathing..The terms sound funny, Right? I mean you can bathe with water but how the hell do you bathe in the forest? Is it a fitness trend or a mindfulness practice? 

Forest Bathing by simply walking through the woods is a powerful antidote to the pressures of the modern world. It is proven to deliver lasting benefits to your physical and mental wellbeing and creating within you a profound connection to nature. 

So let's understand what is forest bathing? 

Forest bathing is a part of nature therapy which basically means you heal with the elements of nature. It means taking time to unwind and connect with nature and using Forest therapy to improve your overall health and well being.

Many cultures have long recognized the importance of the natural world to human health. But this term was first documented in Japan. Due to the tech boom burnout, people were compelled to look into a solution. To inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests, came the concept of forest bathing. The term ‘Shinrin-yoku’ emerged in Japan in the 1980s as a physiological and psychological exercise. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest background through our senses.

This is not an exercise, or hiking, or jogging. All one has to do is take their eyes off their gadgets and look around, simply be in nature, connect with it through the senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. By opening our senses, Shinrin-yoku bridges the gap between us and the natural world. Forest bathing is not just for the wilderness-lover; the practice can be as simple as walking in any natural environment and consciously connecting with what’s around you. 

You can be a part of this meditative experience at Vaatalya, a mountain top retreat which is surrounded by majestic, pristine, untouched and serene forests. To know more click on www.vaatalya.com/experinces