Nature has vital therapeutic effects. My favourite place in nature is the forest. Any forest. This is where I feel the best.
The Japanese enjoy an activity called forest bathing. Instigated in 1982 by their Forest Agency, it has become a recognized relaxation/stress management activity.
Studies have found that spending time in the forest creates a calming effect throughout the nervous system. Benefits of forest bathing include reductions in stress, anger, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness.
Being in nature is essential for human health. That is why when the going gets tough, the tough go to the forest.
I've never heard the term "forest bathing" before but, it's a good description for how it feels to sit in the woods.
ReplyDeleteSit, hike or roll and soak up the goodness. It is my reset button.
DeleteThanks for sharing those beautiful photos, Gregg. Nature is indeed generous if we take the time to look :-)
ReplyDeleteMadeleine.x
Taking the time to see has its rewards. Sometimes it is necessary to stop and let nature wash over us.
DeleteRecently, I learned about forest bathing. I find it interesting and fully agree with the concept. I've been spending time sitting in my wooden rocking chair on my patio. There is a small forest out there. I've watched it grow for nearly 20 years. There are several different kinds of trees, plenty of shade. I feel fortunate to have the forest right here in my back yard as I am not able to get to larger forests right now. Everything changes when one is outside, bathing in nature. Beautiful pictures Gregg.
ReplyDelete20 years is a good amount of time to see your surroundings mature. I am convinced that just being close to trees is good for us.
DeleteI love the forest. I struggle greatly with health issues, but the forest does me a lot of good both for body and mind. The best place to be. Pam
ReplyDeleteThankfully we have a wheelchair accessible trail through the forest close to home so I am able to get Linda out for a forest bath. It is very nice to be in the trees together.
DeleteMe too. And a deserted beach early in the morning does a lot for my mental state, too. :)
ReplyDeleteJeannie
Linda and I love beaches (and early mornings) too. We hiked the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, BC and there were some spectacular beaches on that 72 km wilderness hike. The beach and the forest are both great places to simply be.
DeleteWe haven't begun to explore the many Nova Scotia beaches yet, but there are a few on our list of places we want to visit. Access is sometimes a problem for us, but there are some beaches with boardwalks.