Have you ever tried forest bathing? The term (known as shinrin-yoku) originated in Japan during the 1980s. Forest bathing is all about submerging yourself in a forest location, and using your senses to immerse yourself in the different sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. In fact, it represents a way to build a bridge between ourselves and the natural world. And its advocates believe that reconnecting with the great outdoors in this way can help to improve both physical and mental health. So, like biophilia, forest bathing strives to increase our connectivity with the natural environment.
The best medicine
Forest bathing has been proven to reduce stress, improve feelings of wellbeing, lower heart rate/blood pressure, and increase creativity. In other words, I think it’s one of the best medicines for modern living. The only problem, of course, is that not everyone has easy access to a forest. And even those who do, might not find it quite so welcoming during the long,