Forest Bathing Cleans Us From the Inside Out

 

Stanford University's "Greater Good in Action" suggests that if we spend 5-10 minutes per day for two weeks noticing nature, the practice will become a habit. And the habit will strengthen our feelings of connection. Many of us are walkers, but how many of us truly bath in the forest?

What is Forest Bathing? Honestly, it's simply soaking in the atmosphere as you walk in the forest. From our friends at the Coop outdoor retailer, REI, comes this information: "Nearly 40 years of extensive research shows a wide range of health benefits from forest bathing, including decreased stress, improved mood states, a variety of mental health benefits, improved vigor, reduced fatigue and feelings of awe. Why? Because of the positive effects of phytoncides—essential wood oils or the “aromas of the forest”—on the human immune system.

My way of forest bathing is walking meditation, or "Hiking Haiku". This involves not only noticing nature, but also my own reactions to it. How my physical sensory perceptions influence my thoughts and emotions. Then I turn all that into haiku poetry. Unrhymed poems of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively.  Here are some "winter haiku" I've written over the years ~

Curled bark, hairy vine

Winter nakedness reveals,

Nature's rough texture.

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Curled in on herself,

The rhododendron signals,

Girlfriend, stay inside.