SHABIHA NUR KHATOON, OP
The Japanese phrase ‘Shirin-yoku’, meaning forest bathing or soaking in the forest environment, has entered the lexicon of nature lovers worldwide due mainly to its
wide-ranging therapeutic benefits
Spending time in the lap of nature is physically and spiritually invigorating. All of us pine for relaxation and refreshment in a soothing green environment far removed from the toils and stresses of urban life in a concrete jungle.
So, it is time to give the usual spa and massages a break. How about forest bathing, which means taking a shower in the woods? This is not literally so, of course. Forest bathing is the latest mantra of regeneration and the concept, rooted in the Japanese practice of ‘Shirin-yoku’, means forest bathing or soaking in the forest atmosphere. Although the concept took flight in 1982 it is, however, only recently that it has gained prominence.
If you spend some time in nature’s lap, it is possible that you could visualise as well as internalise what the romantic poets had written about the effects of living close to nature. The practice, which originated in Japan, is also referred to as ‘S?nlínyù’ in Mandarin and ‘Sanlimyok’ in Korean.
Forest bathing does not involve soaking in a tub nestled in the woods; it means basking in the greenery of the forest area. Researchers from Japan have shown that there are significant changes in immune markers and stress hormones in people who regularly take walks in forests. Additionally, after conducting a test it was found that those who had diabetes (but were not taking insulin) greatly benefitted from the practice.
The test was conducted in the late 1990s by the department of Gerontotherapeutics at the Hokkaido University School of Medicine. There were a total of 87 test subjects who were non-insulin dependent diabetics. The patients would take walks of either 3 km, which they completed in 30 minutes, or 6 km, which they completed in one hour, in a forest. During this period their blood samples were taken periodically.
They went through this test nine times in a period of six years and the results showed that this practice improved their health, with their blood glucose levels going down as far as 38.9 per cent for the 3 km walks and 40 per cent for the 6 km walks.
The phrase ‘Shirin-yoku’ was coined by the Japanese forest ministry in 1982 when it was associated with the national public health programme.
Forest environments can be viewed as therapeutic landscapes, say researchers. Forest walking is an effective meditative practice as it relaxes the parasympathetic nervous system. Patients recover from surgery faster and better when they have a green view. Researchers point to the fact that patients who had green views needed shorter stays in hospital post surgery, took fewer painkillers, and had slightly fewer post-surgical complications compared to those who had no green view or who had just a cement wall to look at.
“Forest therapy is a growing practice that promises benefits for mind and body,” says Dr Gaurav Gupta, a Delhi-based psychologist.
“You have to make mindfulness a part of your daily life across an extended period. Take time to breathe deeply and turn your focus inward. If you can, get yourself outside among the trees. Leave your screens, your boredom and your worries behind. It’s worth it — even if you can only spare a few minutes,” he adds.
Purujeet Parida, an avid traveller, says one gets instantly connected to nature as the relationship between man and the natural world is deep-rooted. “Forest bathing is not about taking bath in a forest stream, waterfall and lake but there is a lot to it. Once you discover the magic of being in a forest, you will try and conserve it and build a lifelong relationship with it. It’s a boon when such niches only have local names and are difficult to find on maps as it helps keep things pristine and fresh,” he says.
Travel freak Rachita Panda says, “In 2013, I went for forest bathing along with my friends. That time we didn’t know it was a therapy and was so much in trend. I guess we were just being spontaneous and sort of pioneers before the trend.”
Panda explains that spending time among the trees can be therapeutic and is really beneficial. She describes the experience of forest bathing as simply ethereal.
“We enjoyed it more because it was unplanned and was sort of a discovery deep in the woods. The lush green grass, the late afternoon sun gleaming through the foliage and the sparkling cold water gurgling along a serpentine trajectory made the experience truly magical,” adds the nature lover.
WALKING in the woods
- Better interpersonal relationships: Forest bathing improves the mood and lowers hostility levels.
- Sharpens the senses: When you walk among the quiet environs and listen to sounds, your senses get honed.
- Builds focus: With time for yourself, you can concentrate better.
- Better sleep: A therapeutic nature walk increases relaxation levels and, in turn, one’s sleep.
- Increases calm: It is also an effective meditative practice and relaxes the parasympathetic nervous system.
GREEN HAVENS
Craving for a rejuvenating forest bath? Below are a few handpicked places that could feature on your must-visit list:
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Uttarakhand: A picturesque biosphere reserve listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the best national parks in India. The reserve offers splendid views of the peaks of Trishul, Dunagiri and Nanda Devi – an adrenaline boost. Hosting rare flora and fauna, the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is definitely a place for those seeking something new and refreshing.
Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of Flowers offers a rejuvenating experience. Situated in the Garhwal region of beautiful Uttarakhand, this national park is home to a number of endangered species and alpine flowers, so you can expect a heart-warming and thrilling experience. Poppies, orchids and daisies offer a scenic view.
Shola Forests, Western Ghats: The Shola Forests are evergreen forests found in the highest reaches of the Western Ghats. The evergreen trees of the tropical forest never shed their leaves and, unlike other forest trees, form a thick canopy not permitting the sun’s rays to penetrate the foliage. It is an abode of the endangered Nilgiri tahr and the majestic flower, Neelakurinji, which blooms every 12 years!
Kishatwar National Park: Another high-altitude national park in Jammu, it offers nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts something interesting to look forward to. Sparse forests and dense wildlife along with great bird watching opportunities can light up any nature lover’s mood. There is enough opportunity for trekking too.
Silent Valley, Kerala: It consists of evergreen tropical rainforests which are home to beautiful flora and fauna found rarely in India or elsewhere else. This valley is situated in Palakkad, and is a treasure-trove of knowledge for scientists and students of the life sciences and field biologists not to mention peace lovers.
Jog Falls: India’s western regions are home to some of the most beautiful and thick forests. Situated in the southwestern state of Karnataka, the four-stream Jog Falls are the second highest in the country. The surrounding areas, carpeted in dense, verdant foliage, are also home to several local bird species.
Sequoia National Forest: Overwhelmed by the slings and arrows of life? Try a visit to the Sequoia National Forest (in the mountains of Sierra Nevada, California) for a healthy dose of perspective. Surrounded by a forest full of towering sequoias, you can’t help but remind yourself of the fleeting transience of it all, bathing your mind and body in a pool of calm. You’ll love exploring the area’s ancient geological origins, clearly written on the terrain. With roaring waterfalls, gorgeous caves, massive granite monoliths and glacier-eroded landscapes, Sequoia National Forest is a sight to behold.
Crooked Forest: As far as forests go, the Crooked Forest in Poland seems straight out of a fairytale. The pines, (though apparently normal and basic formations) that make up this forest include some unusually shaped trees whose bases curve outwards, a mysterious and oddly mesmerising feature, for the region, that as on date, remains unexplained. So for your next summer detox vacation, plan a trip to Poland to witness these arboreal aberrations first hand.
Sagano Bamboo Forest: While dwelling on ‘Shinrin-Yoku it is impossible not to mention the Sagano Bamboo Forest in Japan. Situated a few kilometers outside Kyoto in the district of Arashiyama, a trail runs in between towering, tightly packed bamboo stalks. This is the bamboo forest of Sagano. Aesthetically, it is unlike anything else anywhere, unusual, captivating and soul-awakening – the reedy forest is laid out in neat rows and bound on each side of the trail by dead stalks. Even the sounds of the forest have been decreed as a “must-be-preserved” precious element by the Japanese government.
Many travel companies offer forest-bathing holidays. Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian castle resort in upstate New York, offers guided forest bathing experiences in its surrounding woodlands. In the United Kingdom, Forest Holidays has “forest therapy” in nine different locations, including Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. At Trout Point Lodge in Nova Scotia, Canada, programmes take guests into “Acadian forest ecology” to breathe in phytoncides – antibacterial organic compounds – to aid in relaxation and reducing stress. Guests wade barefoot through rapids, bounce on beds of moss and observe local wildlife.
Tree Park
In 2015, the Japanese concept first made its way to India’s IT hub — Bangalore. The Kadugodi plantation is the first tree park in the eastern stretches of the city. A tree park is an area where nature is allowed to take its own course, and where people in the city can head to if they want a feel of the forest. The plantation is the single largest land parcel in Bangalore owned by the state government.