Forest bathing on Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio shared a great article on Forest Bathing as part of their "Life Kit" series. It covers the same points as the Minnesota Land Trust piece did with ideas about how you can go out on your own and experience healthier nature connection.
I like to tell people that a forest therapy walk is like remembering how to be 8 years old in the woods. One difference that I've noticed, though, comparing how my children experience our time amongst the trees compared to the intentional parts of a forest therapy walk, is the focus on scents. I have to regularly draw their attention to a unique or different smell and invite them to seek it out - they do not often notice it themselves. (Perhaps because kids get stuffed up faster.)
The article emphasizes using your nose in the woods:
Many of the benefits of shinrin-yoku come when we inhale the chemicals that trees release into the air, called phytoncides, says Li. They can reduce our stress hormones and increase our levels of white-blood cells known as natural killer cells, according to his research.
Read the whole thing here.
If, like me, you experience this best in an accountability group setting then consider organizing a Guided Forest Therapy Walk! I'm happy to work with your group or event to put together a healthy and transformative experience of nature connection.
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