Have you ever heard of “forest bathing”?
In Move Your DNA, Katy Bowman tells us just how great it is for our energetic hygiene.
Here’s how she puts it: “Shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing,’ is the process of making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of the forest. Heavily researched in Japan, forest-bathing has been shown to promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate and blood pressure, and a reduction of ‘technostress,’ as measured by a reduction in cerebral activity. While anyone who has spent a few hours wandering out in nature can tell you that yes, it’s very relaxing, it is through scientific investigations that the mechanism behind our physiological response to the trees is better understood. We aren’t responding to the trees per se, but rather undergoing an invisible interaction with phytoncides—active chemical substances given off by plants. The tree, secreting these substances to ward off harmful bugs and rot, is also providing us with a compound that does our body good.”
I’ll take it!
In fact, this is one of the reasons I hang out with nature every morning on my trail. (Although, sad face, nearly all the trees got burned in the big fire recently.)
How about YOU?
Taken any good forest baths lately?
If not, when can you get out there and enjoy the goodness next?!
Here’s to your technostress reduction! (Which, btw, kinda requires you leave your tech behind as you venture out for your bath. 🤓🤗 🌲 )
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