What I learned on Science Earth Day......Forest Bathing

[mfcorey1]

The Japanese practice of 'forest bathing' is scientificially proven to be good for you


The tonic of the wilderness was Henry David Thoreau’s classic prescription for civilization and its discontents, offered in the 1854 essay Walden: Or, Life in the Woods. Now there’s scientific evidence supporting eco-therapy. The Japanese practice of forest bathing is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of wellbeing.

Forest bathing—basically just being in the presence of trees—became part of a national public health program in Japan in 1982 when the forestry ministry coined the phrase shinrin-yoku and promoted topiary as therapy. Nature appreciation—picnicking en masse under the cherry blossoms, for example—is a national pastime in Japan, so forest bathing quickly took. The environment’s wisdom has long been evident to the culture: Japan’s Zen masters asked: If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears, does it make a sound?

To discover the answer, masters do nothing, and gain illumination. Forest bathing works similarly: Just be with trees. No hiking, no counting steps on a Fitbit. You can sit or meander, but the point is to relax rather than accomplish anything.

Forest air doesn’t just feel fresher and better—inhaling phytoncide seems to actually improve immune system function.

“Don’t effort,” says Gregg Berman, a registered nurse, wilderness expert, and certified forest bathing guide in California. He’s leading a small group on the Big Trees Trail in Oakland one cool October afternoon, barefoot among the redwoods. Berman tells the group—wearing shoes—that the human nervous system is both of nature and attuned to it. Planes roar overhead as the forest bathers wander slowly, quietly, under the green cathedral of trees.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/03/the-japanese-practice-of-forest-bathing-is-scientificially-proven-to-be-good-for-you

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

1. Again mfcorey1, thanks for this article

Let me relate an experience that I just had.
I'm very lucky in many ways. I live with a state park basically in my backyard. I can walk there in about ten minutes. Trees, River, all the great stuff that comes with being there.

About six years ago while talking to my wife at the start of the day she noticed the left side of my face drooping. Little stroke that changed my life for the better. I know that sounds strange but it led to discovering that I've had a few heart attacks and need to go for bypass surgery.

My surgeon, as he was walking out of my room after signing the release papers, turned to me and said, "Remember, walk, walk, walk....".

I had to quit working after all this, I had a very physical job. I took his advice to heart (excuse the bad pun) and hit the park with a renewed outlook. I had a lot of time, I had a new puppy, I had no excuse. I walked, well we walked and walked.....just like doc said.

Last week I went to my primary physician for my checkup and it was requested that I email my blood pressure readings to her, ten days worth from the day of the checkup.

Well... Later on in the week she reviewed the readings and was worried about 2 readings that were abnormally low. I'm usually in the good range of 120/80 few above, some a little below, normal.

Those readings were around 80/60 I took them a couple times just to make positive I didn't make a mistake.

Those readings came after I spent long days in the forest, about 4-5 hours just doing what I call a walking meditation. Those two times I got in rather deep in the quietness of mind.
Doc, got a little freaked about the readings. She knows I walk but I related to her the exact way that those two days went. She just remarked, "Oh, ok, now I understand."

That is the power of forests, the power of nature.

Thanks again, Greg

[Donkees]

2. Zen Garden - Cherry Blossoms, Relaxation & Meditation

Published on Nov 19, 2012

[WhiteTara]

3. I feel so fortunate to live among the trees.

The oak just outside the house is over 200 years old and there are many hickories and maples and other oaks all around. I have a very large garden/yard and have places to sit all around the garden and I work a little and then sit under trees and now that I don't work, I get to do this many times every week.