The
Japanese culture has embraced some enchanting ideas. My latest discovery is
the term Shinrin-Yoku. Literally translated, it means “Forest bathing.” The
idea is to expose oneself to trees, to nature, for the purpose of healing.
Imagine that as a prescription from a western physician. Well, maybe a doctor
of Alternative medicine. Otherwise? I don’t think so. This is not a criticism.
It’s that our culture is growing but has not yet embraced all ideas as more
ancient ones. Makes sense, when you think about it. They have had centuries to
get some things right.
Stay
with me, here. Who of you has not experienced the quiet of a park, or a
forest, or the mesmerizing calm of the ocean? Well, as it turns out, I’m behind
the times. When I googled Shinrin-Yoku, it turns out there is an Association of
Nature and Forest Therapy which promotes and uses Shinrin-Yoku. It has hundreds
of guides here in the U.S. alone. I stand corrected.
The
benefits have researchers amazed. It lowers blood pressure, reduces stress,
increases concentration and mental clarity. It also increases the number of
cancer fighting cells in the body. Just wow.
Years
ago, when my children were little, and my stress level got high, I would go outside
and sit on the back porch. We lived in a forested area so it was perfect. My
fifteen minutes of “porch-time” never failed to calm me. My porch-time was
Shinrin-Yoku. Who knew?
Leave
your cell phone at home.
