When this is just published, cars are (probably) flying past us on both sides. It is undoubtedly a bit stressful, because we are driving behind a caravan and we want to merge into the left lane of the German motorway. But then again, they drive quite German there…
As I write this, the river Ourthe, in the Belgian Ardennes, slowly ripples past me. On the other side of the water, conifers alternate with light green deciduous trees and in between, moss-covered boulders protrude above the ferns. Every now and then a duck floats by or a fish makes a splash.
The Japanese 'shinrin-yoku' originates from the difference in how these two situations feel. Literally translated as 'forest bathing' and more freely translated as 'forest therapy', although the latter sounds a bit heavy. During our holiday in the Ardennes I read the book 'The Joy of Forest bathing' by Melanie Choukas-Bradley. I originally bought it because of the beautiful illustrations by Lieke van der Vorst, but the content also turns out to be very cool!
Shinrin-yoku
In the early 1980s, the Japanese Forestry Commission began promoting shinrin-yoku for the stressed and overworked people of the big cities. Their lives were mostly spent in buildings taller than trees and among machines that made more noise than waterfalls, so it was no wonder that they had become out of sync with nature and themselves.
People were encouraged to go into the forest; not to hike as many kilometers as possible or to climb as high as possible, but just to be there. To listen to the wind rushing through the trees and the birds singing. To feel how the ground beneath your feet moves slightly with your steps, to smell how the forest smells after a rain shower and to discover how many different shades of green there are. Spread across Japan there are specially constructed forest bathing trails, where you go into the forest under the guidance of a guide for a trip of a few hours. Complete with a tea ritual and some yoga on the side.
Several studies have shown that going into the forest lowers your blood pressure and cortisol levels (the well-known stress hormone), increases the variation in your heart rate (this is a good thing) and improves your mood. And the best part is: you don't have to go to Japan for it!
Do it yourself
There are also variations on shinrin-yoku in Europe. In German we know the term waldeinsamkeit , the feeling you experience when you wander through the woods alone. From Norwegian comes friluftsliv , or open air living, the Scandinavian passion for the outdoors.
To harness the power of nature and the healing properties of trees themselves, you don't need much.
- Leave your phone at home or put it on airplane mode.
- Go to a piece of nature – your 'wild home' with trees where you feel good.
- Breathe deeply in and out. Feel your body relax.
- Focus on what is happening around you and notice that you are part of everything you see.
- Use all your senses.
- If you want, you can sit or lie down on the floor.
- Take your time. Anything from 20 minutes to 3 hours is good.
- Visit your 'wild home' regularly.
- And during all seasons.
I derived this list from the above-mentioned book The Joy of Forest Bathing by Melanie Choukas-Bradley. Highly recommended if you want to read more. Forest bathing is also growing in popularity in the Netherlands; for example, Natascha Boudewijn has shinrin yoku academy set up in the Randstad.
Unfortunately, we didn't manage to walk much in the beautiful, inviting forests of the Ardennes. But when the little girl is born, the three of us will go out to immerse ourselves in all the wonderful things that nature has to offer.