A sense of freedom, lightness and peace of mind.
Perhaps this is exactly what we seek when walking through a wood or pine forest: it cannot be a coincidence, therefore, that Japan has made spending time among the trees a wellness therapy.
The Shrinkin-Yoku, a term coined in the 1980s, which literally means “forest bathing”, is today one of the most loved regenerating practices in the world capable, also according to recent scientific studies, of stimulating all five senses, helping us to “reset” our thoughts and lighten the mind from the worries and weight of a complicated present in a society that is increasingly becoming Far West.
Walking and breathing deeply is one of the most effective medicines for our bodies, simultaneously promoting a state of serenity and psychophysical relaxation. It seems that just two hours a week are enough to reap excellent benefits, reducing feelings of stress and significantly improving heart rate and concentration.
From Japan, this green approach then spread to Europe, quickly becoming the new frontier of contemporary wellness and a healthy lifestyle trend for training the body and regenerating the spirit. Italy, with its spectacular variety of postcard-perfect landscapes, lends itself perfectly as an ideal setting for this. Forest Bathing.
This practice, also known as forest therapy, can be performed anywhere there's a wooded area, including a city park or a nature reserve near your hometown. This ritual shouldn't be considered an exclusive eco-chic tourism experience, but rather an excellent opportunity to recharge, rediscover the authentic pleasure of slowness, and be lulled by the sounds of nature. You walk slowly, aimlessly, taking in the fresh air and refreshing your gaze, contemplating the chromatic spectacle of the foliage, which, like all things fleeting, always exerts its charm.
Then we let nature do the rest, allowing us to return to our origins, to essentiality, and reconnect with the more human rhythms of a world that is proving to be increasingly hyper-technological but, at the same time, increasingly inhuman. This magical combination of nature and well-being has already been discussed in this article from March 24th, mainly focused on the Nature Coaching, because this topic is particularly close to our community's heart. Today, taking time for yourself, perhaps just to walk in nature, is a new form of luxury, increasingly difficult to access. Yet its healing power holds inestimable value, restoring vital energy, dignity, and confidence in the future.
PS For those who would like to delve deeper into the topic of Forest Bathing, we recommend the book Into the Forest (in English) of the Dr. Qing Li, one of the leading experts in the field and President of the Japanese Society of Forest Therapy.
Article Author: Francesca Pera
