In case you missed it, forest bathing is a form of stress-reducing therapy that first began in Japan (called ‘shinrin-yoku’) and is taking off all over the US. No bathing suit required here – all you need is a little bit of time to play in the woods.
Recent Japanese research shows that this is, in fact, medicine that works. A study of forest walkers, ages mid-30s to mid-70s, showed a reduction in systolic blood pressure from 141 mmHg to 134 mmHg after an afternoon in the forest. In other words, more chill. Considering that the US sinks $190 billion into stress-related health care costs, forest bathing could save beaucoup bucks.
In the next year, The Associations of Nature & Forest Therapy aims to train and certify around 250 new guides. These are people who help you stay present during your forest bathing.
Curious? Get your Forest Therapy starter kit [PDF] from the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy.
