Excursions and visits to nature can be vital for a person's physical and mental health. For this reason, it is very frequent that trips and/or excursions are made to places that produce great relaxation to calm the mind and body. In fact, for a long time the belief has been promoted that natural and open spaces allow a healing of the spirit of a person, especially living in a society full of visual and auditory stimuli and various obligations that can cause high levels of stress. The human being is in a continuous search for solutions to face this type of problems and avoid the negative consequences. One of these alternatives consists of going to natural places and carrying out certain specific actions, including forest bathing.
In this Psychology-Online article we will explain how to do a forest bath and what are its benefits.
Forest bathing is recreational practices that are carried out in open places linked to nature. The main objective of these baths is that the person can obtain an improvement in their physical and mental health from the connection with elements of nature.
Despite the name, this methodology does not necessarily have to be carried out in forests. His original name is Shinrin Yoku, a term from Japanese culture that means "forest bath", referring to the absorption carried out by the spirit of the forest atmosphere.
In order to carry out this type of practice, first of all it is necessary to know the steps that you must take into account to carry it out correctly. Next, we explain how to do a forest bath step by step:
1. choice of place
In the first place, as we have previously established, it is not necessary that this experience be carried out exclusively in a forest. However, if the decision is made to carry it out in a forest place, you can opt for a site that contains trees with rocks, wetlands and make it a calm environment.
2. Activation of senses
Here the senses of the human being come into play, since it is intended that there be a recording of physical sensations from contact with the forest. In general, the person can be guided by intuition that leads them to carry out different actions that connect them with the deepest feelings.
3. contemplation of nature
While continuing with the previous step, a sharing of feelings that have been obtained during the process. However, it is important to note that sharing information with other participants is optional and not everyone chooses to do so.
4. Intake of tea or other infusion
Finally, in group activities, the forest bath ends with the intake of tea or another infusion. as a way of connecting between the forest and the person. In this way, the integration between the properties of the forest or the place of nature that has been chosen and the person is produced.
However, it should be noted that this series of steps may vary depending on the circumstances. of each person, who in turn can choose to perform the forest bath in isolation or in a group.
Forest bathing or shinrin-yoku can be done anywhere that contains nature elements. Furthermore, it can also be put into practice in urban places in cities and even in gardens and paths with vegetation.
Next, we show you the most recommended sites to perform a forest bath:
- forests or jungles
- urban parks
- Gardens
- Inside a house
On the other hand, it is also possible to carry out these forest baths in artificial sites visible through 3D technology that represent a safe and quiet environment.
After reading the previous sections, it is possible to deduce that doing a forest bath can provide us with some important benefits, including the following:
- Strengthening of the immune system.
- It helps a better functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- Reduces stress levels.
- Improve sleep.
- Helps combat body overweight.
- Decreases the chances of contracting anxiety, depression or other mental disorders.
- Reduces cortisol levels, stress-related hormone.
- Increases self-esteem.
- Helps to produce muscle relaxation.
- Avoid fatigue physical and mental.
- Reduces headaches.
- It can help fight diseases such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis, among others.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
