When’s the last time you spent time in nature? Like really immersed yourself in it?
When I lived in Chicago, I loved the bustling, fast pace of the city but also craved quiet time in nature.
Getting out into the forest wasn’t exactly easy to do on a regular basis, so I would find a quiet spot tucked away under the trees in Millenium Park, put my phone away, take a deep breath, and soak all in.
At the time, I didn’t know there was a name for this: “Forest Bathing”
Now I live in California so it’s way easier to escape my desk and venture into nature on a moment’s notice (and maybe even see a family of deer or red tailed hawks).
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is the Japanese practice of immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest.
It’s not really about exercise or hiking or getting to a specific destination. The intention is actually to slow down, breathe, relax, and connect with your senses.
It’s the perfect antidote to “techno-stress” and the hazards of urban city life, which include higher rates of anxiety, depression, cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
Physician and researcher Dr. Qing Li has made it his life’s work to reveal the health benefits of spending time in nature and make forest bathing a public movement.
Among the many benefits of forest bathing, it’s shown to:
✔️ Improve focus, even in people with ADHD
✔️ Alleviate stress and boost mood
✔️ Improve sleep and energy levels
✔️ Reduce blood pressure
In this video, I’m sharing why forest bathing is so good for sleep and stress and how to practice it effectively.
Most of us could use a little extra time in nature right about now.
If you’re in California and want personalized guidance on mental health and nutrition, schedule a free 20-minute call with our team to see how we can help.
