Whether you're feeling stressed or wired, forest bathing is an easily accessible activity that will help us to reconnect with nature, relaxing our body and mind. It is a form of ecotherapy that involves immersing ourselves in the natural environment and taking in the sights, sounds and smells with our senses.
Science has proven that immersing ourselves in nature can offer us great benefits such as lowering our stress levels and blood pressure. We tend to sleep better, and our mood and concentration may improve, as does our general wellbeing.
While the value of connecting with nature has always been known by cultures around the word, forest bathing emerged as a formal type of therapy in the 1980s in Japan. The Japanese embraced shinrin-yoku, (lit. forest bathing), as medicine for their stressful urban lives. You can experience forest bathing anywhere in nature, even in one of our local parks.
Watch the video below for an introduction to forest bathing, also known as forest therapy, by Dr. Sarah Brikké (PhD) from Healing with Nature.
How to start forest bathing
Find a place that offers easy walking paths or check out our suggestions below. When you're ready to start, put aside your thoughts on the past and future, and open your senses to the environment around you. Walk slowly and steadily, and take the time to notice the movement and sounds around you.
For more guidance on forest bathing, watch Sarah's video below. You can also listen to her prompts while enjoying forest bathing for a better experience.
Forest bathing can also be experienced sitting down or standing up, and is suitable for people of all abilities.
Nature play activity for children
Playing in nature is very beneficial to children as it enriches their creativity and imagination, boosts their resilience and immune system and reduces stress levels. Not only does nature play encourage children to be active, it is also beneficial to their cognitive, social and emotional development. Nature play offers plenty of good reasons for families to switch off the screen and immerse themselves in our nature environment.
Learn to build a mini bush shelter or a fairy shelter with Sarah in the video below.
Good local spots for forest bathing
Why not have a go at forest bathing at Darvall Park in Denistone? An easy 1km walking track can be found north of the amenities building.
To the left of the amenities building, you'll find an easy 1km walk. You can also enjoy a combination of paths and bush tracks at Banjo Patterson Park in Gladesville.
Darvall Park, Denistone | 1km
Enter the park via Chatham Road and you'll find the entrance to an easy walking track to the north of the amenities building.
Banjo Paterson Park, Gladesville |1.5km
To find the track, enter Banjo Paterson Park at the southern end of Punt Road and walk past the playground. You'll find a combination of paths and bush tracks including some uneven ground, slopes and occasional steps.
Terry Creek and Browns Waterhole, Marsfield(PDF, 9MB) | 1.5km
This medium grade walk starts at the corner of Crimea Road and Pembroke Road. It consists of a combination of paths and bush tracks including some hills and rough tracks.
If you'd like more information and resources on improving your wellbeing and mental health, take a look at our Mental Health Month program.
The videos featured in this article were published with permission from Dr. Sarah Brikké (PhD) from Healing with Nature. Connect with Sarah through her website, Instagram or Facebook.
