Get some (forest) therapy

At the moment, we’re observing social distancing and self-isolation, but here’s a fantastic way of enhancing your wellbeing that you can try once our current limitations have been lifted.

We all know that getting some fresh air is a great way to blow away the cobwebs. But did you know that spending time in nature can not only make us feel more alert, it also comes with some serious well-being boosting benefits?  Shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, is a wellness practice originating from Japan that has seen a boost in popularity, specifically in wellness circles, in recent months. But what exactly is it?

“Forest therapy is the name given to the art or practice of reconnecting with flora and fauna, with nature. Facts and figures about the importance of nature to our mental and physical wellbeing started to emerge on a global stage when it was introduced as part of a public health programme in Japan in 1982,” explains Sarah Ivens, author of Forest Therapy, a guide to embracing the benefits of nature.

“The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries coined the phrase shinrin-yoku (translated as ‘forest bathing’ or ‘forest therapy’) and turned the idea of taking a nature walk into a national pastime, one that would enhance health, wellness and happiness.”

Sarah, who has always felt a “special relationship” with nature, trees in particular, turned to forest therapy herself in her 30s after “a decade of stressful living and working in London and New York City”. Since reengaging with nature, Sarah says that forest therapy has brought so much into her life.

“[It’s brought] a sense of calm! And something to do! As a parent of two young children (who are four and six), nature has given us a place to chill out our tantrums, allow us to engage and connect with each other away from social media and school, and all at no cost. We’ve learnt together, and shared amazing moments – like watching fireflies buzz around us, smelling wafts of lavender, watching a mummy bird feed her babies – that we will all remember forever,” says Sarah.

“I also use alone time outdoors, by a river, or the sea, or on a woodland trail – to think ideas through for work, or to forget about work.”

While increased feelings of calm are one of the benefits of forest therapy, studies from Japan have shown that increasing the time we spend in nature also has a positive impact on our immunity, blood pressure and stress levels.

So who can practice the art of forest therapy?

“Everyone. That’s the beauty of it. Anyone who wants to step outside their home or office and look at the stars, notice the movement of the clouds, smell the scent of a rose, is engaging with nature. Any fitness level, any age, any time limit – you’ll feel better for it,” says Sarah.

The best way to get started with forest therapy, if you’d like to try it yourself is to simply step outside...

“Use your senses to actually look, smell and feel the world around you. Sit under a tree and relax. Take your shoes off and wriggle your toes in the grass. Put down your phone and go for a walk, noticing the changing seasons, the weather, how you feel when you actually embrace the real world around you, not one created on social media which can make you anxious or depressed,” says Sarah.

The five senses play an important role in the practice of forest therapy, so it’s essentially to really engage with them as you move through the natural world.

“Watching a squirrel jump from tree to tree, listening to raindrops as they fall on a tin roof, smelling jasmine on a warm summer evening, feeling the texture of shiny surface of a palm leaf, tasting blackberries you’ve picked with your own hands. What delights. What easy, cheap, relaxing delights,” says Sarah.

And it’s also important to observe the changing seasons as you move through the year.

“[The changing seasons] offer movement, a sense of renewal and closure to our own cycles of life, they offer change and excitement. I love remembering how each season brings new things, fresh thoughts, and embracing the seasons really helps us to set a rhythm beneficial to our heads and bodies,” says Sarah.

Modern life can be hectic and overwhelming and in recent months more and more people have been returning to nature as a way to find a sense of relief. Sarah says it’s a good thing to see self-care “having a moment”.

“Self-care is having a moment, thank goodness – we are aware that living an indoors life, obsessed or addicted to screens and social media – is not doing us any good, in the short or long-term. And if you’re looking for a healthy, quick, free fix to anxiety, lethargy or feeling lacklustre, there is nothing easier or better than getting outdoors and breathing deeply.”

Forest therapy by Sarah Ivans (Piatkus, €18.19) is out now