Scientists in Japan prove that going into the forest improves our health.
Since I was a child, I loved going into the forest. I just felt good in the presence of the trees. Then as a teenager I first felt the healing effect of the forest when I was sad and depressed I went instinctively into the forest and just walked around and sitting somewhere and observing the nature made me feel better.
Shinrinyoko is a stress-management-method that is approved by the state and the scientists found out that after just one hour in the forest our body creates 50% more killer cells that strengthen our immune system and this effect lasts for 7 days.
The experience was always positive and I came back as a new person with new hope and joy in life. It was magical and answers came to me by the sudden. Somehow I felt this connection to all these old and wise creatures like the trees and they answered my doubts. The solutions just appeared. By the time my perception got clearer and I could perceive the different presences in the forest. There is so much more than just trees I can say and everyone that is willing to feel and see can connect and communicate with all these beings of nature. It is a deeply healing experience.
Somehow I feel at home in the forest and it awakes a profound sense of belonging there. I am relieved that I can finally just be myself and don not have to fit into any social norms. This gives me a great happiness. Still today I need my time in the forest regularly and if for some reason I could not go there for some weeks, my body starts to demand this contact and I am dreaming of the lush forest day and night. Like the feeling of being homesick. Then I should spend some hours soon to recharge my batteries.
In Japan Forest Bathing has been studied for some decades now and they did some scientific studies that affirm my experiences. Shinrinyoko is a stress-management-method that is approved by the state and the scientists found out that after just one hour in the forest our body creates 50% more killer cells that strengthen our immune system and this effect lasts for 7 days. It works also on our mood like an aromatherapy and color therapy. The abundance of green is very relaxing for our nervous system. The high amount of oxygen rejuvenates the body and mind.
Nature has a big power. We cannot understand or describe it really. All these studies are helpful but they will never explain the feeling that we find in the forest.
I found that doing my yoga practice with Asanas, Pranayama and Meditation is also very powerful in the forest and may even increase the relaxing effect. But it is not necessary to do any effort and just sitting or walking slowly is as well very beneficial. Just be playful and listen to your inner child and do what you like.
Nature has a big power. We cannot understand or describe it really. All these studies are helpful but they will never explain the feeling that we find in the forest. Once our soul connects to the trees and other plants and animals we will understand so much more than just a growth of our number of killer cells. There is art and beauty in it, there is music and dance, there is love and joy and never ending life. I hope so much that more people would do Forest Bathing and raise their attention and conscience about these powerful natural remedies and value these priceless sources of health and happiness. The forests are giving us so much and in return they want just our love and respect and appreciation. Let’s give it to them. Mostly the entrance is free and still so precious.
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