Forest Bathing - a.k.a. The Zen of Being Outside!

An odd but intriguing still life captures
my imagination.

It seems like everyone is reminding us to go outside these days.

No wonder.

It's just like Mom always said, "Go outside and play.  It's good for you."

I know it's true for me.

Last fall my friends Suzanne, Susan and I embarked on a few hours of Shinrin-yoku Forest Therapy or "forest bathing" at a state park about an hour from here.

Colors seem richer and more vibrant after a few hours
in the company of trees.

Susan had been reading about the benefits of Shinrin-yoku and then happened to see that one of the state parks was offering a free class in a couple of weeks.

Of course we enrolled!  







The idea is simple:  If a person simply visits a natural area, especially one with trees, and walks in a relaxed way there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits achieved.

How hard can that be?

Seeds from the cottonwood trees create a bouquet.

Turns out, it was harder for me than I expected.

WHY????

Because, as our guide emphasized, this is a time to UNPLUG from technology.

I was in total agreement--until I realized she meant cell phones AND CAMERAS.

As you no doubt know by now, gentle readers, I am attached to my cameras!

It is part of my anatomy:  wrist, palm, fingers, camera!!

Because I had to leave my camera behind, I will accompany my story with beautiful photos,
such as this inviting grove of aspen taken last week in the Medicine Bow National Forest.

I must admit that it was harder than I expected to know I was entering a beautiful environment without my camera.

Stamen press outward from a bright yellow Columbine.

The goal is to slow down, relax and savor the present moment.

Walk aimlessly and listen to where your body wants to go.

Take your time.  You can't be late because you're not going anywhere.

Savor the sounds, smells and sights of all the nature around you.  

LET NATURE IN.

A mountain bumblebee visits its favorite Fireweed.

Lately, it seems I've been reading a lot about Nature Deficit Disorder, because Americans spend 90% of their lives indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Nielsen reports that Americans spend nearly 11 hours a day in front of a screen!


Yikes!

Mid-summer flowers bloom in a small meadow.

To the Rescue:

Shinrin-yoku.

The term was developed in Japan during the 1980s and represents research by Japanese and South Korean researchers to support the health benefits of spending time in nature--specifically time under the canopy of a living forest.

A mountain jeep trail invites me to take the path less traveled.

It seems so simple, but scientific studies support the healing effects of simply being in wild and natural areas.  

Columbine, now in full bloom in the mountains, add
joyful color to the mid-summer palette,

 Even if you can't get forest bathing into your schedule today, there are also health benefits just enjoying the birds outside your window or flowers in a sidewalk planter.

*The longer you linger on beautiful details, the faster the big picture comes into focus.

One of July's last Bluebells bloom.

What ARE these health benefits??

*Boosted immune system.

*Reduced blood pressure.

*Reduced stress.

*Improved mood.

*Increased ability to focus.

*Accelerated recovery from       surgery or illness.

*Increased energy.

*Improved sleep.

Twisty aspen trunks force me to stop,
admire and breathe in the
unexpected beauty.

"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home.

Wilderness is a necessity."

    --John Muir


(Why not find out for yourself?  It's summer!  
Go outside!)