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Doctor’s Prescription: Forest Bathing, The Art of Slowing Down<br />
By Nesrin Abu Ata<br />
I don’t know about you, but with COVID and<br />
social distancing, I notice that I have been<br />
spending a lot more time outside in nature,<br />
and that is how I discovered forest bathing.<br />
The practice of forest bathing, also called forest<br />
therapy, involves no bathing and is not led by a<br />
therapist. It originated in Japan in the 1980s, and is<br />
known as shinrin-yoku which means “taking in the<br />
forest.” It is the practice of moving slowly in nature<br />
using all the five senses. It feels and looks a lot like<br />
standing around, so to speak. While it may seem easy<br />
to do, it turns out to be harder to do in practice, as you<br />
start to notice your thoughts the more you slow down.<br />
<strong>Siouxland</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | Balance /43<br />
When I started moving slowly in nature, I started to<br />
notice my own thoughts: am I moving too slowly?<br />
What will people think who pass me on the trail? Am<br />
I doing this right? However, the more I slowed down,<br />
and stopped to notice different plants and animals,<br />
the more I became aware of the smells and sounds<br />
around me, and the more I was able to appreciate the<br />
present moment and my own breath. Doing forest<br />
bathing has helped me move from doing more, to<br />
more being, which has been enjoyable.<br />
Some of the benefits of forest bathing include<br />
relaxation, less stress, connections with nature,<br />
insights to take home, improved mood, improved<br />
vigor, reduced fatigue and feelings of awe. Research<br />
is showing that being in a natural setting is good<br />
for mind-body health. It can lower blood pressure,<br />
lower cortisol levels and improve concentration and<br />
memory. A chemical released by plants and trees,<br />
called phytoncides, boosts the immune system.<br />
So, what are you waiting for? Start your forest bathing<br />
therapy today and find what it is like for you!<br />
How to Go Forest Bathing<br />
• You can choose anywhere in nature, it can be a park,<br />
a forest<br />
• Make sure you have left your phone behind<br />
• elax all your muscles<br />
• Walk aimlessly and slowly<br />
• Let your body be your guide, letting it lead you where<br />
it wants to take you<br />
• Follow your nose<br />
• Take your time<br />
• Savor smells, sounds sights of nature, let the forest in<br />
• Slow down, stop often. This is not a hike<br />
Dr. Abu Ata is board certified in both<br />
family medicine and psychiatry, and<br />
is also a yoga teacher. She practices<br />
integrative psychiatry, which includes<br />
the mind and body integration, nutrition<br />
and movement. She is in private practice<br />
at Mind; Alchemy PLLC and can be<br />
reached on drnesrinabuata@gmail.com,<br />
or phone at 712-454-8981.<br />
Photo credit Dr. Abu Ata.
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