Day Nineteen: Take A Forest Bath
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, which means "taking in the forest, "originated in Japan in 1982 The idea is that through this type of outdoor therapy and opening our five senses, seeing, hearing, tasting, touch, and smelling we can bridge the gap between nature and us. Since we’ve already experienced each sense separately, today we will put them all together for the ultimate in forest bathing experience. It will do us good too! This study showed that people who walked through a forest for two hours a day showed lower concentrations of cortisol, lower blood pressure, and lower pulse rates. The study also found that being outdoors boosted the levels of white blood cells, and anticancer proteins, and that even a one day trip to a park can boost immune activity for at least a week. These stats are pretty convincing that time spent in the Wild is so important for our well being. What amazing gifts it has to offer us.
Meditation: Listen to this meditation: Forest Bathing Meditation by Tommy Carr
Activity: Practice shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing- outdoor therapy. Today we’re going to head out into the Wild with the intention to forest bathe and experience and connect with the Wild through all of our senses. For this activity you’ll need at least two to four hours of time that you can be in the Wild without being interrupted.
Write in your journal the following:
Share: One of your journal prompt answers in the Facebook group.
Affirmation: Recite the following affirmation out loud: “I am integrating slowly back into the Wild and am using all of my senses to assist me.”
There are certified forest bathing guides if you’d like to hire one to help further your practice, you can find a list of them here.
Go back to:
Introduction
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Day Ten
Day Eleven
Day Twelve
Day Thirteen
Day Fourteen
Day Fifteen
Day Sixteen
Day Seventeen
Day Eighteen
Meditation: Listen to this meditation: Forest Bathing Meditation by Tommy Carr
Activity: Practice shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing- outdoor therapy. Today we’re going to head out into the Wild with the intention to forest bathe and experience and connect with the Wild through all of our senses. For this activity you’ll need at least two to four hours of time that you can be in the Wild without being interrupted.
- Find a place where you can get in the Wild. If you are able to go into the forest, that is awesome, but any space in nature that is available to you will work.
- Leave your phone and any other electronics at home or in airplane mode.
- According to the Association of Nature Therapy, “work with the forest as a partner. It is open-ended; there is no prescription for what a person "should" experience, or what benefits they "should" receive. Instead, it is a practice of developing a deepening relationship of reciprocity, in which the forest and the practitioner find a way to work together that supports the wholeness and wellness of each.” In other words, go in with an open mind and allow a relationship to form.
- When you enter the space you have chosen for this activity, notice your body in that space. Take some time allowing that awareness to fully be recognized. Really allow yourself to immerse into the space.
- Take notice of all of your surroundings. What do you see? A rock? A tree? Mentally list everything you see, allowing them into your experience.
- Start to move around in the space- but not blindly. Start by feeling your feet firmly planted in the ground, and then feel yourself take a step. Feel free to pick up an object, like a stone or a rock, and feel how it feels in relation to your hands. How does it feel against your skin?
- Notice the sounds you hear around you. Maybe there is a bird singing overhead or the sound of water flowing nearby. Maybe you hear your own heart beating in your chest.
- Take in the smells around you. Do you recognize any of them? Maybe you recognize the smell of pine or wet earth?
- Continue to walk slowly in your space, in rhythm with the Wild around you. Maybe you speed up to the bird’s songs or slow down to the sound of a lazy creek. Mirror any sights you see- like leaves fluttering down from above or grass blowing in the wind. Share with the wild out loud what you are seeing- start with “I am seeing….”.
- Find a place where you can sit and observe the wild around you for at least 20-30 minutes. Mentally note what you are seeing.
- Head back to where you started- but along the way mix up walking and sitting and observing. Don’t rush back, make sure to take your time.
- When you end your experience, try to bring in some sort of ritual. The Japanese end their forest bath with a tea ceremony. This time is called the “Threshold of Incorporation” and allows one to slowly transition back into everyday life.
Write in your journal the following:
- Were you able to slow down and work with nature as a partner?
- What did the objects you picked up feel like?
- What did you observe while sitting and watching?
Share: One of your journal prompt answers in the Facebook group.
Affirmation: Recite the following affirmation out loud: “I am integrating slowly back into the Wild and am using all of my senses to assist me.”
There are certified forest bathing guides if you’d like to hire one to help further your practice, you can find a list of them here.
Go back to:
Introduction
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Day Ten
Day Eleven
Day Twelve
Day Thirteen
Day Fourteen
Day Fifteen
Day Sixteen
Day Seventeen
Day Eighteen