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As of 2019, over half of the world’s 7.6 billion people now live in cities. By 2050, it’s estimated that two thirds of humanity will call cities home. Urbanisation has allowed for a concentration of all the things that make humans so great and so horrible. It has allowed access to knowledge, innovation, health and wealth. It all sounds wonderful.
And yet, we (at least those of us in the western world), are more stressed out than we have ever been. The relentless grind of progress and economic activity can leave us feeling overwhelmed, tired and scared. We are constantly being hit with a barrage of messaging encouraging us to ‘Buy Now’; making us scared and feeling left out if we don’t. This messaging onslaught has been positively supercharged with the advent of mobile and social media over the last decade.
So you are tired, anxious, confused, overworked, but also (potentially) richer than you have ever been. To overcome these negative emotions, many people turn to retail therapy. Whilst retail therapy may be useful at times, it is unlikely to relieve the symptoms of anxiety for very long, and may just make us feel more stressed as we endear ourselves to be “keeping up with the Joneses”. It’s just a not a good recipe for long term happiness.
However, there is a simple, free way to heal yourself and those around you, to get away from the messaging and the anxiety. It is called Forest Bathing.
Forest Bathing comes from the Japanese Shinrin-Yoku (literally translating to “Forest” and “Bath” respectively). In essence, it is the practice of “bathing” in the atmosphere of the forest, taking it in through every one of our senses. It is not to be confused with hiking or trail running, as you are not looking to achieve any defined outcome such as moving a set distance.
It is the exercise of simply existing in nature. Allowing ourselves to feel our surroundings through touch, smell, taste, sound and hearing.
Forest Bathing works as a bridge between the artificial world that the majority of us exist in, and the natural world that we came from.
Forest Bathing is not just empty talk either. Studies have been undertaken to measure the impact that Forest Bathing has on our bodies. Research conducted in 2015 found that a 80 min “forest bath” in nature lead to decreased levels of depression, fatigue, anxiety, and confusion. It also lead to increased levels of vigour, allowing us to be more alert and present in our everyday lives.
Today, we live busy lives with all sorts of urgent personal, work and family commitments. However, the next time you are feeling especially worn out, or at the end of your rope, don’t reach for the credit card – reach for the nearest Forest Bath. It may be just what you need.
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