Tree Time and the Practice of Shinrin-Yoku
by Jason Samuel
Nature is good for you. Don’t just take our word for it.
Ever since we brought our first campers into the Enchanted Forest, we have been saying loudly to everyone we meet:
Being in nature makes you feel better.
There are many physical and mental benefits of being among the trees. Don’t just take our word for it; there’s medical proof! Numerous studies have been conducted. Most around the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere.”
What is Shinrin-yoku?
It was first coined in 1982 (just three years before The Nature Place was founded) by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries to inspire people to spend time outside. The principle is that it is low impact. One doesn’t need to climb a mountain or trail run to benefit from being surrounded by nature. In fact, you don’t need wilderness or even a forest. Trees within a city park will do just fine.
As the practice caught on, more scientists sought to prove its benefits. The studies have been conclusive and confirmed what we have been teaching: nature is good for both your body and soul. How? Without getting too deep into medical and scientific jargon, Shinrin-yoku has been found to help lower your blood pressure and reduce depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, and levels of harmful hormones — like cortisol, which your body produces when stressed. All this states that tree bathing can help you focus and be calmer and more relaxed.
In Japan, companies like Nissan and Mazda have organized Shinrin-yoku for their employees, and doctors and the health insurance system view it as a helpful therapy. In the US, health systems like Kaiser Permanente publish “how to” instructions on forest bathing.
Shinrin-yoku and The Nature Place
There are numerous parallels between Shinrin-yoku and rituals we practice here at The Nature Place. Besides aligning on our founding principles, our daily activities at The Nature Place and the practice of Shinrin-yoku ask that we open our minds to the natural world, using all of our senses. We have a saying at camp, “Open your mind and say ahhhhh” which reminds our campers to open themselves to their surroundings and new ideas. Another common theme is using your senses to hear the sounds, smell the air, feel the earth beneath you, see the trees move in the wind, and taste something natural, grown from the earth. We slow down the pace of our days and run programs like the barefoot zone and garden so that campers can connect their senses to nature. Speaking of time, Shinrin-yoku calls for having the mindfulness to have 10 to 20 quiet minutes around trees to open your mind and senses to the natural world. We at The Nature Place call this still-hunting. We’ll still-hunt just about anywhere: transitioning between activities, out hiking in the forest, venturing out to the farm, or taking in the beauty of the lily pad cove while paddling at Cedar Pond.
How can I practice Shinrin-yoku?
Just spending 10 to 20 minutes a day outdoors, in a natural place, can lead to increased well-being and happiness. Here are a few ideas to start:
- Touch (or sit by, or hug) a tree, breathing deeply and noticing all different aspects of the tree
- Take a walk, focusing on the trees around you: how they move in the wind, the smell of them, the way their colors contrast the surroundings
- Stand or sit near a tree and go ‘still-hunting’ like we do here at The Nature Place.
Do your body good by ensuring time every day you can connect to nature. Do some of your own research on Shinrin-yoku and get out there. Find a quiet spot in your local park, join us on a family hike, and definitely spend your summer at The Nature Place to maximize the opportunity of opening yourself and connecting to nature.
The Nature Place is a nature-focused and non-competitive summer experience. Founded in 1985, we have a magnificent 200-acre campus that supports a holistic approach to outdoor, adventure, and artistic programming in an environment that helps each individual find their best self. We bus from NYC, JC/Hoboken, Bergen, and Westchester Counties. Click here to learn more about our unique, multi-week Summer Day Camp Experience. (Or click here to see a sample bus map.)