Forest Bathing (Shinrin yoku) and Relaxation

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese term that literally means “forest bathing,” and it refers to the practice of immersing oneself in nature as a way to promote health and well-being. It involves spending time in a natural setting, such as a forest or park, and engaging with the environment using all five senses. Studies have shown that shinrin-yoku can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost immune function, and improve mood.

From Canva AI

Promoting relaxation

Relaxation: I don’t know if you are a walker, someone that likes to go out in nature. Walking can be in a wood or forest, the local beauty spot or in the mountains or simply in a local park. But it is undeniable that being in nature and outdoors, does have a calming effect on us all and supports mental wellbeing. The only science we need to support this statement, is the evidence of seeing lots of people out in the countryside or in the local parks enjoying themselves and relaxing.

In the UK, as soon as the sun comes out we are out there soaking in the rays just enjoying the moment. In the parks there’s friends playing football, parents with their children playing Frisbee or trying to get that kite to fly, or promenading or simply chilling in the shade of a tree having a picnic.

So intuitively we know it’s good for us. Like the above quote says its helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost immune function, and improve mood.

I like words and their derivation For example where does the word “park” come from and more importantly what are we parking in the park. The park can be a small formal park in a town or it can be on a much grander scale such as a national park which can be thousands of acres.

The etymology (derivation) of the word “park“

From Middle English park, from Old French parc (“livestock pen”). from Medieval Latin parcus, parricus, from Frankish *parrik (“enclosure, pen”). from Proto-Germanic *parrukaz (“enclosure, fence”). Cognate with Dutch perk (“enclosure; flowerbed”). Old High German pfarrih, pferrih (“enclosure, pen”)

Wiktionary

What the word “park” means to me is that we are parking all our worries / troubles / anxieties / concerns. That we are putting them aside and going on a little mini holiday away from them. A rest bite so that we can relax and unwind and let our the troubles just eek away!

Benefits of being in nature and relaxation

So how does going into nature and parking all our troubles help. Here’s some ideas.

When we go into nature we get moving, we exercise and sometimes even getting out of breath. Exercise and movement all support mental wellbeing. When we exercise we produce endorphins that gives us that good feeling.

When we go on walks it is often with other people or we see other people on the walk. Being with other people raises our serotonin levels which increases our wellbeing. This comes from our early evolutionary psychology, i.e. we feel safer as a tribe. Therefore when we are amongst others or in their vicinity we feel a little more secure and better.

Other benefits

When we remove ourselves from the triggers that create stress and mental ill health (i.e. in our home or work environment) we no longer feel their influence and can relax and decompress. When relaxed we can think more clearly and can come up with solutions. That’s where the “Eureka” moments happen.

Often nature / parks contain happy memories for us, i.e. times with friends and family. So when we are in them, at some level we relive those happy times or at least have the associated feeling return to us.

From an evolutionary biology perspective we are creatures of nature and not box dwellers. So when we are in nature we are in an environment that is natural for us, the smell, the sounds, the feel. This helps us relax.

(Note: There may even be relaxing smells that are given off by the flora of the forest)

And finally when we choose to be in nature we are taking control of our life experience. Taking control makes us the influencers of our lives. When we are in control we can relax and enjoy and think more clearly.

Conclusion

So if you want to relax and take advantage of its benefits for mental wellbeing go for a walk. It need not be on your own or in some sort of isolated location, it can be in a local park. Alternatively join a group of like minded people, find them on google and social groups like the Rambler Association . Not only will you get fitter, more relaxed, you might even get to meet new friends.

From the solution focused hypnotherapy perspective Forest Bathing and walking fall into the 3P strategy. The 3P strategy comprises of positive action, positive interaction and positive thinking. Whenever we do the 3Ps we generate serotonin, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for that wellbeing feeling. When we feel better, we think more clearly and make better choices in our lives.

So if you want to find out more about the mind, how we create anxiety, anger and depression but more importantly what we can do about them, then contact me at ACT Hypnotherapy.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Accreditation:National Council of Hypnotherapy (NCH), Association of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH), Association of Neuro-linguistic Programmers (ANLP)