My Forest Bathing Experience: Immersion in Nature
Last week I spent a magical week immersed in nature as I finished my training to become a Forest Bathing Guide. It was a wonderfully calming time really connecting with nature and allowing space to just be….and breath!
So Where did Forest Bathing Come From?
Forest Bathing originated in Japan. During the 1980’s the Japanese Government became increasingly worried about the stress and other mental health issues arising, so they began extensive research into the health benefits of spending time in nature.
Millions of people in Japan are using Forest Bathing now or Shinrin-Yoku as its known there and it is now prescribed in certain areas by their NHS equivalent to ensure greater health!
What is Forest Bathing?
Immersing yourself in the forest and soaking up the atmosphere of the forest using the senses and mindfulness techniques. It involves walking slowly through woodland connecting with nature using the five senses, bringing your own body’s rhythms in to sync with natures rhythms. Doing this allows us to tap into all the potential benefits of Forest Bathing.
What are the Benefits?
There’s been lots of international research into the benefits of Forest Bathing. The results show an amazing array of potential benefits…
A reduction in blood pressure, lowering stress, improving cardiovascular and metabolic health, balancing blood sugar levels, lifting depression. Improved energy. Boosting the immune system…this for me was the interesting one from an anti-cancer perspective…these ancient forests produce chemicals that can help your immune system increase the body’s NK (natural killer) cells, plus so much more!
I’ve experienced some of these benefits myself…such a feeling of calmness of peace and finding balance again. I felt renewed and more resilient, able to deal with anything thrown at me. I also experienced a release and letting go of sadness. A sadness that I stored that I had stored for a long time – time with the forest & nature, becoming one with the rhythms allowed healing, allowed the flow and release of this stored sadness. There were tears and there was release. I felt so wonderful and calm afterwards. I also noticed the difference in my energy – I felt a level of vitality that I hadn’t noticed for a while (probably since I was last in the forest!). A week in the forest did this for me, energy for walking, deep breathing and a sense of real peace!
All this from spending time in the forest amongst the trees – no wonder the Japanese started prescribing forest bathing sessions for their patients’!
Why did I want to be a Forest Bathing Guide?
After the cancer diagnosis, the surgeries & treatments, I was intuitively drawn to nature and to gentle walks. As soon as I was able to get out and about, the forest was my go to place to settle my fears and anxieties, to calm my body and re-establish my equilibrium. At that time, I didn’t know the science behind why it was so good for me – I just knew I felt better physically and mentally and was able to cope with the difficult conversations and the unpleasant treatments. It was my own medicine for recovery without knowing the science of why nature was so good for me. When I did find out more – I knew I had to train to be a Forest Bathing Guide and share this with others.
Wood Wide Web (not the World wide web)
This blew my mind when I found out about the connectivity of the ancient forests. The trees in a forest create a network underground, their root systems, aided by fungus, create a huge underground network so that they can feed and nourish each other all year around. They are also able to use this network to warn each other of danger> They do this by sending out signals across the wood wide web. Mother trees can recognise their saplings and send nutrients to help them to grow. This amazing connectivity means that the older the forest, the more established the wood wide web and the greater benefits for us when we spend time within this community.
My Experience: Reflections after a week in the Forest
As part of my training, I spent a week in ancient woodlands. I very quickly noticed changes in me –physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I felt so peaceful and calm and at one with my surroundings. I truly connected with the natural rhythm of nature, rising early with the sun (normally I struggle to wake ang get out of bed!), sleeping deeply in the dark. It was as if my body was drawing me to the structure of my days that best suited me. Drawing me to the natural rhythm of the forest around me. Showing me how the forest could heal – showing me the benefits. I felt the calmness of my body, I had space to sit and breath and just be. I felt such an increase in my energy levels. My body was truly showing me the benefits of time with nature and connecting with the forest.
My Life as a Forest Bathing Guide.
Having experienced such wonderful benefits myself, I love sharing the magic of the forests, helping others to feel what I feel when I immerse myself amongst the trees. The feelings of peace, of joy and deep rest. I was intuitively drawn to the forests to support my healing. Now that I know the science behind it, I realise that listening to my body was key – the ancient wisdom of the forest and the healing properties of nature re there for us to enjoy. I find so much joy sharing this with others, sharing the sheer wonder of connecting and immersing the body in nature. The calmness the peace that descends – the beauty. The ease with which our bodies connect. It feels as if our bodies were meant to tap into the ancient wisdom & healing
Things for you to try in the forest:
- Walk slowly becoming aware of all that you can see, perhaps the sun, the path ahead, the colours, the leaves, the light and shade etc. Do this for about 10 minutes
- Slow down and take deep breaths – breathing in those healing chemicals that the forests share with each other.
- Now walk slowly again becoming aware of all that you can hear – perhaps the breeze, the crunch of your feet on the path ahead, the movement of the trees and leaves, the sound of birds and insects etc. Do this for about 10 minutes
- Really allow your body to sink into the awareness around you. Make sure that you are breathing deeply and comfortable throughout the exercise. If your mind wonders (well that’s what minds do!) knowing that’s ok and just gently bringing it back to the senses. Just being quiet, just noticing what’s there.
- Continue your walk or time in the forest noticing what you become aware of, perhaps you become aware of things that you haven’t noticed before. Perhaps becoming aware of how your body feels. Perhaps noticing differences in how you feel now compared to how your felt before.
Enjoy!
Much Love
Jennifer
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