Why the Japanese Are Trading Spas for Forests

Today is National Pound Cake Day - a sweet reminder!

Moving from a cozy cake afternoon, imagine stepping into a forest where your only task is to... exist. No fitness trackers, no step counts, no destination. Welcome to the world of forest bathing, or as the Japanese call it, shinrin-yoku.

Forest bathing, named Shinrin-yoku, was introduced in 1980 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, making it a relatively modern concept rather than an ancient one. It is associated with other popular Japanese well-being concepts such as Ikigai (finding your purpose), Kaizen (continuous improvement), and Kintsugi (finding beauty in imperfection).

It’s different from hiking or trekking, as it mainly focuses on mind detoxification. Forest bathing involves strolling through forests and nature with mindful use of the senses—hearing birds chirping, feeling the presence of greenery, and experiencing a breeze different from that of usual places. A mindful walk is the core concept.

As forest bathing has only been around for four decades, there isn’t enough research on its physical well-being effects, but for the mind, it has shown positive impacts, including a reduction in cortisol (the stress hormone) levels.

Benefits? Stress reduction, enhanced mood, improved blood pressure, and cardiovascular health.

A surprising result from one study found that walking in the forest for four hours twice a day can produce cancer-killing proteins and immune cells. Basically, build a home in the forest!

This resonates with three concepts:

• Yūgen: Encourages mindfulness and appreciation of nature's quiet, profound beauty—like mist drifting through trees or the sound of rustling leaves.

• Komorebi: The concept of noticing and appreciating small yet enchanting natural details, fostering a sense of wonder and tranquility.

• Wabi-sabi: Embracing imperfection, impermanence, and the beauty of the natural cycle of growth and decay.

Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest is the birthplace of forest bathing. Besides that, Yakushima National Park and Kumano Kodo are two notable locations in Japan for this practice. The chaos of urban life, extreme stress, and deteriorating health have disrupted the peace of human life. With that in mind, this practice was introduced.

Had fun sharing the concept!

Here’s a task: Try stepping outside for 10 minutes—without distractions this weekend. Notice how it feels.

Let’s chat another day.

Thanks,

Jessie.