FOREST BATHING
“In Japanese we have a word for those feelings that are too deep for words: yugen. Yugen gives us a profound sense of the beauty and mystery of the universe”
Dr Qing Li, on Shinrin Yoku.
It's time to start your hEALING JOURNEY
We have a team of Forest Bathing guides who run Forest Bathing+ sessions across England with regular events held at Newlands Corner in Guildford. We are dedicated to replicating the Japanese scientific studies behind Forest Bathing in the UK. The Institute liaises with local and national government as well as major landowners, Universities and scientific bodies, as well as funding mechanisms. We have previously run trials for various Universities, wildlife charities and academic institutions as well as the NHS. These trials have led to an invitation to be feautured as researchers on Forest Bathing+ studies with the University of Derby. These studies will include the measurement of physiological reactions while spending time in mature woodland. With modern electronic measuring equipment, we can now peer inside the body and measure positive changes taking place. The path of measurement and analysis is the foundation of replicating Japanese Forest Bathing science and will hopefully take us towards NHS acceptance in England. Watch this space!
FOREST BATHING
AND WOODLAND THERAPY
Experience how woodland can help your Physical, Mental & Emotional Health.
Forest
Bathing retreats
A weekend of Forest Bathing, Nature Therapy, Yoga and Mindfulness.
Introduction to Forest Bathing+
A gentle introduction to Forest Bathing+ and its benefits. Includes sensory exercises.
Forest Bathing and Nature Therapy
Explore the importance of nature for human health and its amazing healing properties.
Why FOREST BATHING?
Forest Bathing is the English translation of the Japanese term ‘Shinrin-yoku’. To better understand this entire concept more accurately, it means ‘spending quality time, under the canopy of trees, in a forest, for health and wellbeing purposes’. In Japan there is a large body of data to show Forest Bathing can:
- Reduce blood pressure
- Lower stress
- Improve cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Lower blood-sugar levels
- Improve concentration and memory
- Lift depression
- Improve pain thresholds
- Improve energy
- Boost the immune system with an increase in the count of the body’s natural killer (NK) cells
- Increase anti-cancer protein production
- Help lose weight
MAKING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EXPERIENCE
We encourage everyone to make the most of out of their Forest Bathing experience for maximum health and wellbeing benefits. You should:
- Remember, it’s not just a walk in the woods
- Slow down, slow way down, even stop. Slow walking will encourage your heart rate and speed of thinking
- Take in your surroundings using all your senses
- Breathe deeply, take in the maximum comfortable amount of oxygen and beneficial chemicals
- Relax, find a spot to sit down and observe
- It might be hard with a dog!
- Touch the trees, do they feel differently to how they look? Explore your fingertip sense of touch
- Listen, can you hear the birds singing? Are you upsetting a squirrel by entering its patch?
- When we are quiet and still, birds and animals will start to get closer. If you are lucky, you will become the witness of an unfolding beautiful natural play. These scenes have the power to move our hearts in surprising ways
- Two hours is the recommended minimum dose of Forest Bathing. Remember, it is a process, our bodies need time to adjust to the relaxing forest atmosphere, you need much longer than 10 minutes to relax deeply
- Go with one of our guides, it can be hard to switch the phone off and stay present for extended periods. A guide can help you relax
As featured on BBC Earth!
In this short BBC Earth film Dr. Qing Li, widely recognised as the world’s foremost expert in forest medicine and Gary Evans, Director of The Forest Bathing Institute, share some of the science and finer techniques of forest bathing.