Sunday, November 26, 2017

Forest bathing.


Have you heard about "Forest bathing" ?   

Forest bathing is the practice of taking a short, leisurely visit to a forest for health benefits.  The practice (according to Wikipedia) originated in Japan where it is called shinrin-yoku.  Studies in Japan have measured changes in immune markers and stress hormones in people who regularly walked in forests in Japan.


The idea is simple:just by visiting a natural area and walking in a relaxed way, there are calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits to be achieved.

Forest therapy approaches such as Shinrin-yoku have roots in many cultures throughout the globe.  John Muir wrote, "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."  

Without really thinking about it I have been forest bathing for a while and can attest to the psychological benefits of time in the woods.


There is a little known negative side effect of forest bathing known as "forest drowning" !

You'll be relieved to know that forest drowning doesn't really end in death; instead it involves that  panicked feeling when one is metaphorically over one's head.  

I thought my days of forest drowning were behind me. 

I was a good girl on my walk today.  I turned on my GPS tracker when I arrived,  then proceeded to wander aimlessly through the Jack Lake woods.   I was looking for that  mystery house I saw the other day and for *chaga for Kaitlyn.  

I didn't find the former but did find some of the latter.

If you're trying to find your way in the woods don't rely on random flags on trees; because they are just that -- RANDOM.



I'd follow a pink flag and then I'd see a blue flag.  Or how about a pink AND blue flag.


Worse than seeing different flags is when one sees none at all.  

But then I thought "Wait.  I'll just check my Geo Tracker app to see where I am and how to get back where I started."   So I opened it up and it said "location cannot be obtained".  Somehow it had "lost" permission to access my location on my phone.

As the saying goes, "It's deja vu all over again".

So I wandered for a bit and then recalled that the sun sets in the direction of the park entrance.  It shone weakly through the trees.


And here I am several hours later and you wanna know what I'm thinking ?  I'm thinking I can't wait for my next "bath".

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*Chaga is a mushroom occasionally found on yellow and white birches.   


14 comments:

  1. Maybe you need an old fashioned compass? and how about the dogs? Aren't they supposed to figure out the way back to the car? It worked in 'Lassie'.
    You are one brave and fearless woman! :)

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    1. Flora, since I'm still technically in the city and not really off in the wilderness no matter which way I blunder I will eventually hit a road or trail. Though in the summer it did take me 4 hours to find my way home. As for Wendy, she seemed a bit obsessed with finding logs to chew. One time I was heading toward the setting sun and asked her for direction and she headed in the opposite direction. Sigh

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  2. It's remarkable how things have changed over the years. If you had talked about 'forest bathing' in the 1950s/60s when most families had a cottage in the woodlands, visited over long summer vacations, then they'd think you were more than a bit off. At least I live among enough trees that I don't feel the urge to 'wander'.

    I feel a bit nervous for you, though. Depending on electronic gadgets for safety. I still hang on to my old fashioned road maps for car trips into the less known.

    I do do, however, enjoy your adventures...

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    1. It's not like I'm in remote wilderness areas. I do need to start taking my compass. I always have a well charged phone.

      Don't be nervous. I always have my trusty hounds with me.

      I enjoy my adventures too. Thanks.

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  3. Very interesting. That's pretty much how I feel when I walk on the beach :-) Please don't get lost!

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    1. If I lived near the beaches that you do, I'd spend more time on them too.

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  4. You are very brave to wander about in a maze of trees. I like the idea buy alas there are no woods for me to get lost in and I'd be really lost because I have no sense of direction. But I do envy your bravery to explore and be bathed. I have read about MDs prescribing nature for their patients. It is a very good thing. I'll just keep to my one acre of woods and some open spaces and walk with the dogs.

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    1. I am jealous that you have an acre of woods of your own. How marvellous !

      I've now loaded a compass onto my phone too.

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  5. Yes, I've heard of "forest bathing" but your related concept of "forest drowning" is genius, lol!

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    1. The forest drowning is less worrying all the time. I love being in the woods.

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  6. one of my favourite things to do....walking in the woods! Can never decide which I like better...the forest or an oceanside beach. Both are good for the soul.

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    1. If I lived near a beach it would be 50/50 for me too.

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  7. Exceptionally intriguing. That is essentially how I feel when I stroll on the shoreline :- ) Please don't get lost!..

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  8. Forest bathing sounds wonderful, Sybil. The 'forest drowning' less so... I've gotten lost in woods before, when we were overseas; I had forgotten that the sun travels through the southern skies, instead of the northern. At home, I always instinctively know where north is because that's where the sun is... But in the northern hemisphere, it's the other way around, so that can be a little confusing. :-)

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